STYRAX. LIQUIDAMBER. STORAX. 73 



gives a violet reaction with HNO,. Ash 3 to 4 per 

 cent. 



The ethereal oil, myrrhol, is clear yellow in color, thin, 

 and soluble in alcohol and ether. It boils at 266° F., 

 specific gravity 1.0159 acid. 



In the markets, Turkish, African, and Indian myrrh are 

 to be distinguished. The former is thought to be the 

 best gum, being the clearest. The African resembles it 

 closely, with fewer whitish lines or pieces. The Indian 

 is the darkest and the most im.pure. 



There are many other types of myrrh found in the 

 market. 



STYRAX. LIQUIDAMBER. STORAX. 



Styrax is a balsam prepared from the inner bark of 

 Liquidambcr orientalis, Miller. The European plant is a 

 member of the Hamamelideco and is a native of Asia Minor 

 and Syria. The American liquidamber, Liquidamber 

 styracifliia, is a closely allied species. 



The balsam is found in passages pathologically in- 

 duced in different parts of the trunk and stems, but does 

 not seem to be found as accompanying any kind of tissue. 

 It is found most plentifully in the phloem portion of the 

 old stems, but apparently only after an injury done to the 

 tissues. After such injury the balsam passages are 

 found among the woody fibers, at first of schizogenetic 

 origin, later lysigenous. 



The balsam is obtained generally from the bark by 

 heating it in warm water in large receptacles; often sea 

 water is used. (Fliickiger.) The balsam is collected 

 from the water and the bark is then pressed and used for 

 a variety of purposes. 



Description. — Styrax is a thick, tough, opaque, semi- 

 solid, sticky opaque mass, with a grayish to gray brown- 

 ish color. On standing it deposits a heavier brown 

 stratum. It is transparent in thin layers and has an 

 agreeable odor and a balsamic taste. The purified drug 



