392 
must be admitted that small specific differences might not be noted by 
the natives though they are often acute observers of such points 
particularly where economic plants are concerned. 
Kerr’s belicf that this tree is the source of the Siamese gum 
majority of cases the cuts were very old and on most trees no gum 
at all was observed but on a few there was a small incrustation of 
gum along the cuts. The largest piece of gum obtained weighed 
about 25 grammes and was found ina hole made by some wood- 
borer. It was a homogeneous, transparent, pale amber piece with 
the characteristic odour of Siam benzoin, 
e principal method of collecting the gum is by making 
V-shaped incisions through the bark. The gum runs slowly into 
bamboo joints placed at the bottom of the V and is not 
collected until a few weeks after the incision is made. This 
is generally done during the hot season. Gum is also frequently 
found in holes made by wood-borers and sometimes on or in the 
ground at the foot of the trunk. The quality of the gum is 
the same by whatever method it is collected. Whether any parti- 
cular tree will yield gum or not can only be ascertained by tapping 
as only the larger trees and not even all of them yield gum. 
one of the gum obtained near Chiengmai is exported, but 
nearly all of it is used locally, mixed with pig’s fat, as an 
application for the hair. Most of the gum which reaches 
hiengmai is brought there by the Kamus during the cold season 
from the Luang Prabang region to the East of the Mé Kong. 
native merchant buys it and ships it to Bangkok. This merchant 
estimates his yearly purchases at 5 sens (approximately 10 cwt.), 
but for the last two years the quantity has been less because, he 
says, it no longer pays the Kamus to collect it and bring it down. 
Although the merchant had heard that the tree grew on Doi Sootep 
he had never bought gum from any district but Luang Prabang. 
_ Gum benzoin is also brought to Korat in Lower Siam but no 
information as to its source is available. 
LV.—MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 
Mr. F. A. SrockpaLe.—We learn that Mr. F. A. Stockdale, 
Assistant Director of the Department of Science and Agriculture 
and Government Botanist, British Guiana, has been appointed 
Director of Agriculture, Mauritius. 
Mr. Water Victor Nortu, a member of the gardening 
staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens, has been appointed by the 
Secretary of State for India in Council, on the recommendation of 
ew, @ probationer gardener for service in India. 
