Mr. Hunter s Observatiojis on Nauclea Gambir. 221 



the Malays it is mixed with lime, and applied externally to cuts, 

 burns, boils, &c. 



But the most frequent use of it is to chew, along with the 

 leaves of Betel, in the same manner as the Kut (or Catechu) in 

 other parts of India. 



For this purpose the finest and whitest kind is selected. The 

 red, being strong tasted and rank, is exported to China and Ba- 

 tavia, where it is Used for the purposes of tanning and dyeing* ■ 

 For the first of these uses we might suppose, from its sensible 

 qualities, that it is well calculated ; and some rough experiments 

 which I have made on it with animal gluten, compared with 

 those of Dr. Roxburgh on Kut, evince it to be richer in Tannin. 

 than that substance. 



The chief places of manufacture are Malacca, Siak and Rhio ; 

 and the process of boiling is most generally practised ; insomuch 

 that the generality of manufacturers there are ignorant of there 

 being any other. The colour and other qualities, they allege, 

 depend on the vessel and the skill or attention of the operator. 

 Thus an old manufacturer, with Chinese iron pots, will produce 

 a whitish drug ; whereas with a Malay iron pot its colour will 

 be browner. The first cuttings also yield a whiter drug than tho 

 subsequent ones. 



For the cultivation of this plant a rich red soil is preferred: 

 It gives the most luxuriant crop when the rains are frequent, but 

 does not thrive in grounds that are apt to be flooded. On this 

 account the side of a hill is esteemed better than any. other si- 

 tuation. 



The plants are propagated from seed. In three months after 

 sowing, they appear above the ground ; after this they grow fast, 

 and may be moved to the field when nine inches high. They 

 are there planted at the distance of eight or nine feet, so that 



one 



