fissured, (it derives its name 
LEGUMINOSZ. 541 
Alcohol extracted 4°6 of a reddish gummy hygroscopic 
_ extract; chloroform 0°435 of a pale yellow hygroscopic extract. 
_ Neither of these extracts yielded any alkaloid or glucoside, 
nor did a proof-spirit extract, or the extracts of the integu- 
ments, but an aqueous extract gave evidence of the presence 
4 of saponin. (Pharm. Journ., Sept. 17th, 1887.) 
ACACIA, Several species. 
Fig.—Pentl. and Trim., t. 94—95. Gum Arabic (E£ng.), 
Gomme Arabique (F'r.). From African and Arabian acacias. 
Vernacular —Gum Arabic, Maswai-gond, Maklai-gond 
(Bomd.). 
Extract of the pods, Akékia (Ind., Arab.). 
History, Uses, &c.—There appears to be no mention of 
gum Arabic in Sanskrit works, It was known from a very 
early date in Egypt as Kami. Dioscorides calls it eéups in 
his chapter epi axaxias. Pliny mentions Gummi several times.* 
Arabic and Persian writers describe it under the name of 
-Samgh-i-Arabi. The author of the Makbzan gives the follow- 
ing description of what it ought to be:—‘‘The gum of the 
~ tree called Ammnghilén or Mughilaén (Acacia) of a yellowish 
white colour, shining, and perfectly soluble in water, forming a 
clear sticky solution.” Gum is used medicinally by the Ma- 
hometans, who consider it to be pectoral, strengthening, and 
emollient, An account of the history of gum in Kurope, and 
its production in Northern Africa will be found in the Pharma- 
cographia, The gum Arabic of Bombay, known in European 
commerce as Hast India gum, is an imported article, and is 
brought from Aden and the Red Sea ports, no part of it bemg 
the produce of India. Two kinds are met with in that market, 
viz., “ Maklai,” in large round tears or vermicular pieces, 
white, yellow, or reddish, much like gum Senegal, but more 
from the port of Makalla), and 
gular fragments and yermicular pieces, fis- 
© Maswai,” in an 
* Plin. 13, 20; 24, 64, 67. 
