268 ODOROGRAPHIA. 
and called in the Somali vernacular “ Hoftai.”’ It is an opaque, 
whitish gum-resin, called in Arabic “ Dukh,” and in the Bombay 
dialect “ Meena harma.” Chemical examination has shown that 
opaque bdellium and Hotsi are far from being identical *. 
The word Myrrh is derived from a Hebrew word signifying 
amer or bitter, the Greek word cyvpva being derived from the 
Arabic Mur. The ancient Egyptian appellation Bola or Bol, and 
the Sanskrit equivalent Vola, are still retained in the modern 
Persian and Indian languages as Bol and Bola, the true Myrrh 
being called Heera-bol. This gum-resin is secreted between the 
cortical layers of the Balsamodendron Myrrha, Nees. It is a 
small tree or shrub of low stature, unattractive aspect, rigid, often 
spiny, with scanty foliage, minute flowers, and small, oval, dry 
berries. It is a native of the hot and dry countries around the 
southern extremity of the Red Sea, viz., the country about Ghizan, 
on the eastern shore of the Red Sea; the southern Arabian coast 
eastward of Aden; the Somali country south and west of Gar- 
dafui; and the region lying between Tajiira and Shoa, including 
Harar to the south-east. 
There are probably at least three distinct species of myrrh tree. 
Myrrh trees abound on the hills near to Sureea in the territory of 
the Fadhli tribe, east of Aden. The myrrh there produced is 
gathered by the Somalis, who cross over from the opposite coast 
and pay a tribute for the right of gathering it, also the gums 
bdellium and olibanum. The produce is sold at an annual fair held 
at Berbera in November, December, and January, and shipped to 
Bombay, where it is sorted. From this source is derived the 
“Turkey myrrh ” of commerce or “ myrrh of the first quality.” 
The appearance of myrrh as it exudes from the trees is that of 
an oily liquid, yellowish-white in colour, and of buttery consist- 
ence; the colour changes to golden and reddish im the process of 
drying, and it darkens and loses value by age. On arrival in 
London it appears in pieces of irregular forms and of variable sizes, 
either distinct or agglomerated, usually covered with a fine powder 
or dust. The colour varies from pale reddish-yellow to red and 
reddish-brown. The pieces are fragile, semi-transparent, with a 
dull, in part splintery, fatty kind of fracture. The odour of 
myrrh is aromatic and balsamic, peculiar, but to most persons 
* Hell's ‘ Diet. of Economic Products of India, i. p. 426. 
