38 ON PANAX GUM, 



On the addition of alcohol of specific gravity -834, the gum is 

 precipitated as an opaque white substance, and is arabin. The 

 composition of the gum is : — 



Arabin ... ... ... ... 85*1 



Ash 2-3 



Water 12-6 



100-0 

 Two specimens of gum from Panax elegans may now be described 

 separately. 



1. Found at Lismore. Diam., 1 foot. Height, 50-60 feet. 

 Gum gathered April, 1891, and analysed the following February. 



Both gums are rather dark in colour, and resemble Wattle 

 gum. They are in irregular lumps of about half an inch in 

 thickness. Both are plastic after months of keeping. Both are 

 mainly soluble in water, the insoluble portion largely swelling up 

 in that liquid. The odour of the a(?|ueous solution of No. 1 

 sample of P. elegans resembles that of carrots in a remarkable 

 degree. This is noteworthy, and reminds one of the close afiinity 

 of the Araliaceje and Umbelliferse. 



2. Panax elegans. Sample from Ballina, N.S.W. 



This specimen has been partly described under No. 1. In 

 aqueous solution it has an aroma which reminds one of hops. 



The following analysis gives a good idea of the composition of 

 both gums of P. elegans. 



Arabin 70*2 



Metarabin 9-8 (by difference) 



Ash 3-3 



Water 16-7 



lOO'O 



Co7iclusio7is. 



Panax gums closely resemble Acacia gums in composition. 

 They both contain gums wholly soluble in cold water, and con- 

 sisting entirely of arabin, and gums partially soluble in water, 



