182 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. ; 
liquid mixed with fine saw-dust, and dried. It is used in perfumery, 
and medicinally as a stimulating expectorant. 
Gamboge.—This gum resin is yielded by several plants. That known 
as Ceylon gamboge is obtained from Garcinia morella, ( Clusiacee,) a fine 
tree with glossy foliage, somewhat like that of the evergreen magnolia. 
This plant is supposed to be a native of Siam, The guin is obtained by 
making incisions in the bark, or by breaking the branches, and collect- 
ing the juice as it drops. Gamboge is known in commerce in three dis- 
tiuct forms; in rolls or solid cylinders, in pipes or hollow eylinders, and 
in cakes. The former two are collected in the same manner, the juice 
when in a liquid state being run into hollow bamboos, and allowed to 
harden. In this form it is known as pipe gamboge. The cake or lump 
' gainboge occurs in round or square lumps or masses several pounds in 
weight. It is used as a pigment in the arts, and medicinally as a pur- 
gative. Garcinia pictoria of Mysore yields a gum having the color and 
properties of gamboge. American gamboge is obtained from Vismia 
Guianensis, (Hypericacee,) a shrubby plant found in Surinam and Mexico, 
which abounds in a yellow resinous juice resembling, in its appearance 
as well as in its purgative and other properties, the gamboge of Ceylon. 
Other species found in Brazil and Guiana produce similar resins. 
Tacamahaca resin is obtained from the stem of the cedar wood of Gui- 
ana, Icica altissima, (Amyridacece,) a very tall tree, yielding a durable 
fragrant timber, which is used*for inside fittings of houses, especially 
book cases, the odor of the wood preventing injury from insects, The 
balsam or resin is used as a perfume. It remains in a semi-fluid state for 
some time, but ultimately becomes hard, and is used for burning ag 
incense in churches, The branches of Icica heptaphylla are used as 
torches under the name of incense wood. Balsam of Acouchi, yielded 
by I. heterophylla, is used in medicine. 
Tragacanth.—This gum-like substance is produced by Astragalus gum- 
mifera, (Leguminose,) a native of Persia and Asia Minor. The gum 
exudes naturally from the bark in the same way that gum exudes from 
the bark of plum or cherry trees. The hygrometric properties of the 
bark being very great, considerable moisture is absorbed by it during 
the night, which causes it to swell and crack, and from the openings 
thus formed the gum exudes. Astragulus beticus is cultivated in some 
Dare of Germany for the seeds, which are used as a substitute for 
coffee, . 
Kauri resin is a product of Dammara Australis, (Coniferw,) a New 
Zealaud tree reaching 150 to 200 feet in height. The resin is hard and 
brittle, like copal. It exudes chiefly from the lower portions of the trunk, 
either from natural fissures or wounds purposely made with an ax. It 
is at first about the color and consistency of cream, highly glutinous, 
and flavored like turpentine, but gradually hardens by exposure to the 
air, and changes to a dark color. The best resin is found by digging in 
the ground where old forests have been destroyed, and it is found from 
a few inches to as many feet in depth, and in localities now entirely 
cenuded of trees, It is also found in the soil at the base of living trees. 
It is insoluble in water, and ornaments are carved out of the lighter 
amber-colored lumps. It becomes plastic at a heat of 180°, and cam be 
molded into any form. ‘ 
Dammar resin is the produce of Dammara orientalis, the Amboyna 
' pine, a native of the Moluccas. - 
Grass gunt or Acaroid resin.—This substance is produced by several 
species or Xanthorrhaa, ( Liliacee, ) natives of Australia, where they form. 
characteristic features of vegetation. They form thick trunks like palms, 
