BURSERACEZ OR AMYRIDACEA. 007 
pectorant, and antispasmodic, when taken internally ; and as an external 
application it is astringent and stimulant. The substance called Balm of 
Gilead or Balm of Mecca, and which is supposed to be the Balm of the Old 
Testament, is procured from B. Opobalsamum. The gum-resin known as 
Indian Bdellium or Fa!se Myrrh (the Bdellium of Scripture), is derived from 
B. Mukul and B, puoescens. This Bdellium is the Googul of the Indian 
Materia Medica, and the Mokul of the Persians. It is very similar to Myrrh. 
The resinous substance known as opaque Bdellium is derived from B, Play- 
fairii, a native of Somali-land. African Bdellium is derived from B, afri- 
canum. The inner bark of B. pubescens peels off in thin white layers like 
that of Boswellia papyrifera. (See below.) 
Boswellia—The gum-resin known under the name of Olibanum is 
obtained from species of this genus. The name Olibanum appears to be 
derived from the Greek AiBavos. It is the Lebonah of the Hebrews, the 
Incense or Frankincense of the Bible, and the Lubdn of the Arabs. Oliba- 
num or Frankincense is now principally obtained from Arabia and the 
Somali country in Africa. Three species of Boswellia, natives of the Somali 
country, have been described by Birdwood, who has named them, B. 
Carterii, B. Bhau-Dajiana, and B. Frereana. The former is the true 
Frankincense or Luban-tree; but a similar product is obtained from B. 
Bhau-Dajiana, which is probably only a variety of B. Carterti—B. Fre- 
reana is the Yegaar-tree of the Somalis, and affords Luban Maitee, a very 
fragrant resin, which is chiefly employed in the East as a masticatory. The 
two first species are the principal botanical sources of the Arabian or African 
Olibanum of commerce. The kind known as East Indian Olibanum is 
derived from B. thurifera (serrata). It is the Salai-tree of India, where its 
resin is much used for incense. Olibanum is chiefly used for fumigation, 
and in the preparation of incense. It is also regarded as a remedial agent 
in bronchitis and in chronic pulmonary affections.—B. papyrifera, a native 
of Abyssinia, also yields a fragrant gum-resin. This tree is likewise remark- 
able on account of its inner bark, which peels off in thin white layers, which 
may be used as paper. 
Bursera gummifera and B. acuminata yield fragrant resinous substances 
—that from the former is termed Chibou or Cachibou resin; that from the 
latter, Resin of Carana. 
Canarium.—C. commune is the plant referred to in the British Pharma- 
copeeia as the reputed source of Manila Elemi, which is the only kind now 
found in commerce. Other authorities, however, refer it to C. album and 
Icica Abilo (see Icica). But at present we have no trustworthy data as to 
its botanical source. Elemi is used as an external stimulant application to 
indolent ulcers, &c. The kernels of C. commune, known as Java Almonds, 
also yield by expression a bland oil, which resembles almond oil in its pro- 
perties.—C. balsamiferum of Ceylon, and C. album, a native of the Philip- 
pine Islands, also vield fragrant resinous substances resembling Elemi.— 
C. edule yields African Elemi.—C. strictum is the principal, if not the only, 
source of the Black Dammar of Southern India. It is said to be a good 
substitute for Burgundy Pitch. This resin is also sometimes stated to be 
obtained from Vatica Tumbugaia, a tree of the order Dipteracex. (See 
Vatica.) 
Elaphrium.—E. tomentosum produces one of the resinous substances 
ealled Tacamahac.—E£. graveolens, a native of Mexico, is reputed to be the 
source of a wood sometimes imported under the name of Mexican Lign-aloe 
Wood, and also of a volatile oil obtained from it. This must not be con- 
founded with the true Lign-aloes of the Bible. (See Alecaylon.) 
Icica—TI, Icicariba and other species of Icica, yield Brazilian Elemi.— 
I, Abilo, Blanco.—Fliickiger and Hanbury regard this plant as the source of 
Manila Elemi (see Canarium). Other species produce somewhat analogous 
fragrant resins, as Z. Carana, the source of American Balm of Gilead ; 
