BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 319 
is not soluble in water, but forms a milk-like 
emulsion not unlike the asafcetida and ammo- 
niac; neither is it perfectly soluble in alcohol 
and ether. Treated with alcohol and a slight 
quantity of muriatic acid the solution becomes 
of a purple color. Galbanum contains between 
60 and 70 percent. of resin, 15 or 20 per cent of 
gum, and a small quantity of volatile oil; upon 
dry distillation yields a blue volatile oil, and a 
substance termed Umbelliferone, which occurs 
in rhombic crystals. The history, both ancient 
and modern, on the subject of Galbanum, is 
somewhat antagonistic and obscure. The He- 
brews called it chelbenah, and used it as an in- 
gredient of the incense offered in their wor- 
ship; under the name of Aizwah it was known 
to the Arabians, whilst the many writers «n 
medicine believe the source of Galbanum to 
have been the jnice of the Narthex. 
Garcinia Morella, Garcinia Hanburii, Va- 
riety Pedicellata, Gamboge Tree.—Natural 
order, Guttiferee, Native of Siam and Cochin- 
China. This tree attains an altitude of 50 feet, 
and is adorned with laurel-like leaves, obovate, 
elliptical and abruptly pointed, ornamented 
with small yellow flowers in axillary clusters; 
the calyx is also colored, with 4 sepals; stamens 
numerous, female flowers sessile, the pistil sur- 
rounded by the abortive stamens; fruit about 
the size and color of the black-heart cherry. 
The tree abounds in yellow juice, semi-fluid in 
character, which is obtained by making inci- 
sions into the bark; this is collected in bamboo 
joints, which are about 2 inches in diameter. 
Gamboge occurs in commerce in the form of 
