294 DR. r. WELWITSCH O^ THE GUM COPAL IX AKGOLA. 



that it amounted in 1844 to 8G00 arrobas (=275,200 lb.), and in 

 the year following, 1845, it reached 2i,000 arrobas ( = 768,000 lb.). 

 During the years 1850 to 1859 there was exported from Ben- 

 guella alone, on the average, the enormous quantity of 50,000 

 arrobas (=1,600,000 lb.) per annum; so that the total yearly 

 export of Grum Copal from all the districts of Angola together 

 may be estimated at 2,000,000 lb. It is obvious that there must 

 be a great difference in the export in different years, because the 

 finding of the article depends on chance, and the gathering of it 

 has often to be given up for a lengthened time, in consequence of 

 the ravages of the neighbouring warlike negro tribes, or on 

 account of other unfavourable circumstances. Moreover the 

 quantity exported varies according to the demand for the article 

 existing in different coimtries, which, when increasing, runs up 

 the prices and stimulates the Copal-gatherers to greater activity 

 in their researches. 



Part of this rich yield is shipped direct to European ports, 

 another portion is sent via Lisbon; but the largest quantity is 

 bought up in the various seaports of Angola by North American 

 merchants. If we consider that not only from Angola, but also 



towns 



every 



enormous 



African 



tinent ; and the question arises naturally 



III. What is the origin of Gum Copal in West Africa in gene- 

 ral, and especially of that found in Angola ? — That the resin in 

 question is an exudation from some tree, is shown not only by its 

 resemblance to many other tree-resins, but also by the remains of 

 bark visible on the surface of many pieces, and further by the fact 

 that some of them clearly exhibit a concave mark, where bark is 

 observed ; and we may presume that in these places they were origi- 

 nally attached to the trees before falling off. I have seen several 

 samples so perfect in this respect that, from the arc of the con- 

 cavity, the diameter of the tree or branch from which they came 



with 



Whether 



West African 



ur 



from one species or from several species of trees, is a question 



until 



origin of some one or other variety has been traced. Here, how- 

 ever, I must premise that I have often noticed on pieces of Copal 



