198 ArrENDJx. 



had a most agreeable odour, resembling, but not identical with, Indian 

 cassia, and the taste was decidedly sweet. It made a slimy mucilage 

 when mixed with water and contained some tannic acid, but no 

 alkaloid resembling laurotetanine could be separated from it. The 

 bark is sold in the bazaars, and it is known as Mydalahady among 

 Muhammadans. It is used in medicine for its mucilaginous, 

 demulcent, and refrigerant properties. By powdering the bark with 

 some benzoin, mixing it into a paste with a little water, and smearing 

 this on reeds, and drying them in the sun, flavouring sticks called 

 Samhoorany'VatliG are made, and are burnt as an incense or perfume,. 

 I have not been able to obtain the botanical source of this particular 

 variety of gum -bark, but I am inclined to believe from its odour that 



it is an arboreous cinnamon. 



Prom Travancore I have received on different occasions three 



* 



specimens of gum-bark, all varying the one from the other. The 

 first was a thick, red-colourecl bark, a commercial article on . the 

 Western Coast, supplied to sugar refiners. The botanical origin could 

 not be ascertained ; it difiered in physical characters from the barks 

 previously mentioned, and yielded an alkaloid having the reactions of 

 laurotetanine. Probably it was a Litsjjea. The second description of 



gum -bark was that of Kydia cahjcina. The third specimen was sent by 

 the Conservator of Forests for Travancore ; it was named in Malyalum 

 Ava-thoU, and derived, it was supposed, from a species of Cordis. 



I have recently examined some samples of gum-barks from the 

 ]\Iadura District of Southern India, and stated to be used by the hill 

 villagers in iacreasing the alcoholic strength of sago toddy. The 

 plants yielding these barks were up to this time only known by their 

 vernacular names, but as leaves, flowers, and fruits were also sent, 

 these enabled them to be identified. The request was also made that 

 they should be analysed to ascertain the nature and effect of their 



manufactur 



imi 



1. Kadaly-marum* Olea glandidifcra. 



2. Koppa-marum Litsaea Zeyianica. 



3. Karukathan-gundu* ... Hiptarje Madahlota. 



to 



Mullu-eundu 



/ 



5. Pungala-marum Ligustrtim Boxhirghii. 



C- Sudala-marum Litscea Wighiiana. 



marum 



Gmclma arborea. 



* Manim = tree, gumlu = climber (Tamil). 



