TR YMELj^A CE^. 232 



}^ 



coloration with sulphuric acid. The ether resin is soluble in 

 aqueous solution of potash, with a reddish-brown colour, from 

 which the resin is precipitated by acids. The two true Agars 

 Gaguli and Mawardi are composed of rather thin-walled wood- 

 cells, traversed with numerous one -celled rows of medullary 

 rays which are frequently interrupted by large cellular passages 

 or medullary spots. These structures appear as elongated spots 

 of cellular tissue with their greatest diameter following the 

 periphery of the stem.* In Mawardi Agar the vessels are 



much larger and more 



guli Agar. The 



vessels, rays and cellular passages are filled with resin. On 

 comparing sectloas of the stems, | inch thick, of herbarium 

 specimens, kindly sent by Dr. King from the Calcutta Herbarium, 

 of Aquilaria Agallocha and A. malaccensis with the Agars, it 

 was observed that the structure of Gaguli Agar was apparently 

 identical with that of A. Agallocha^ and I thiuk there is little 

 doubt that this tree is the source of this variety of Agar. 

 Mawardi Agar is also probably derived from A, malacccnsis. 

 The false Agars have thick-walled wood-cells, less numerous 

 vessels than in the true Agars, and no well-defined medullary 

 spots. 



" Taggar wood is a heavy, dark- coloured, oily and 

 resinous wood, the botanical origin of which is unknown, 

 imported into Bombay from Zanzibar. It sinks in water, and 

 its aqueoas infusion has a yellow colour with a greenish 

 fluorescence From Bombay it is sent to the large cities of 

 Northern India, Delhi, Lucknow, iS:c., where it is distilled with 

 other ingredients to form some of the compound attars, so much 

 esteemed b}^ the natives. 



■ 



According to Dr, Royle's Catalogue, Taggar wood was sent 

 from Delhi to the great Exhibition of 1851. Twenty pounds 

 of the ground wood submitted to distillation with water during 

 three consecutive days, with frequent cohobation, pelded six 

 fluid ounces, equivalent to two per cent, of a yellowish oil 



* De Bary, Comparative Anatvwy tf the Phanerogons and Ferns, 

 pige ^92. 



