see 
116 ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 
The following are the extracts, promised above, from Dr. Christison’s paper, and which 
though copious, afford but a very imperfect idea of the mass of information embodied in this 
lucid and scientific memoir. 
‘© The source of Gamboge has long been a subject of doubt and controversy among Phar- 
macologists and medical Botanists; nor are the opinions and information, even of the most 
recent authors, by any means satisfactory. In order to understand this enquiry thoroughly, it 
is necessary to be in the first instance distinctly aware, what are the articles to which the name 
of Gamboge is usually given, and whence they are obtained. 
In point of fact, a considerable number of kinds of Gamboge, differing more or less from 
one another in quality, and even in nature, as well as in their place of origin, are known in 
commerce. . T'he most important and finest qualities are generally considered to come from the 
ingdom of Siam, and are imported into England from China by way of Singapore. Amon 
these the wholesale druggist distinguishes by name at least two, and generally three varieties— 
pipe gamboge, cake or lump gamboge, and coarse gamboge. Pipe gamboge, which is invariably 
the finest, has sold in the London market during the last eight years, at prices varying from 
two shillings and ten-pence to five shillings a pound, exclusive of duty.* Cake or lump gam- 
boge is sometimes very nearly equal in quality to the last, but is more commonly somewhat in- 
ferior, and therefore sells for at least three-pence a pound less. The two qualities are some- 
times mixed in the same packages ; sometimes each package contains but one ; and frequently, 
_ fies inconceivably ‘minute, exciting a profuse flow of mucous, and some sneezing, but without: 
~ pain. ig ~s: | 
e other hand, it is a dangerous poison in large dose: _ 
= oe ee ee ger ses; one drachm has 
an ons acti death is ore inflammation of the bowels. ‘I believe that the 
s Pills, have been satisfactorily traced to fo seindoneot Guakaee oe ae 8 : 
"/* Martin's History of the British Colonies, i: 204. table. © 
pO A 
