84 FOREST PRODUCTS 



quantities available, but they are believed to be very extensive; cer- 

 tainly sufficient to last several hundred years at the present rate of con- 

 sumption. Mangrove is said to constitute the greatest single source of 

 tannin supplies for the future requirements of the world. 



MYROBALAN l NUTS 



" Myrobalans " is the trade name applied to several species of Indian 

 trees of the Terminalia genus. The most common and the one which 

 constitutes the great source of this supply is the Terminalia chebula, 

 which is a tree usually from 40 to 60 ft. in total height, which is culti- 

 vated in various districts of India, both for the timber as well as for the 

 value of the nuts. The latter are harvested by the natives, placed in 

 storage houses where the fruit shrivels up into irregular and wrinkled 

 forms. The nuts in good condition should be hard and firm and should 

 be completely free from moisture as their absorptive properties are very 

 great. The tannin content of these nuts varies from 30 to 40 per cent, 

 and is found chiefly in the outer layer. 



India exported 73,355 tons in 1910. In the year 1909 this country 

 used 18,000 tons, valued at $30.00 a ton, and 1,000,000 Ib. of myrobalan 

 extract, valued at $37,500. In 1915, 18,417,434 Ib. of myrobalan nuts, 

 valued at $198,000 were imported. 



Used alone, myrobalans yield a light yellow tannin. The tannin 

 penetrates the skins rapidly and produces a spongy leather so that the 

 best effect is secured when blended with quebracho or hemlock bark. 

 Mixed with these materials, myrobalans add weight, substance, and 

 firmness as well as a fast color to the leather. It is used especially by 

 tanners of calf, goat, and sheep skins. It can be used with harness and 

 sole leather as well. 



DIVI-DIVI 



Divi-divi is the trade name applied to the seed pods of a small tree 

 indigenous in the West Indies, Mexico, Venezuela and northern Brazil. 

 Its scientific name is Casalpinia coriaria. 



The pods are about 3 in. long and f in. broad and very thin. On 

 drying, they curl up. They contain from 40 to 45 per cent of tannin. 

 They are commonly exported in their natural state in bags containing 

 about no Ib. of pods. 



It is a very cheap form of tannin, and its use is not very extensive 

 in this country. In 1918 this country imported 15,739,331 Ib. valued 



1 This is also spelled myrobolan. 



