PLANTS PRODUCING GUMS AND RESINS 325 



masses, each tear being about rs cm. long and varying in colour 

 from straw yellow to reddish, almost blackish brown, according to the 

 age of the tree. 



It is almost entirely soluble in water, with which it forms a dark- 

 coloured mucilage. Atkinson says that it is influenced by variations of 

 climate and soil which reduce the proportion of arabin and render it 

 inferior to that produced in North-east Africa. 



The tree produces a maximum of only 2 lb. per annum. It is 

 generally thought that the older the tree the greater the yield, but, 

 it may also be added, the darker the colour the more inferior the 

 quality. It has, however, been stated in a report that the old trees 

 yield no gum. Further, the production usually varies according to the 

 season and the more or less favourable climatic conditions; in some 

 localities the trees give little or no gum. 



The purest and palest coloured samples slightly reduce Fehling's 

 solution; darker coloured samples are less soluble in water and leave 

 an insoluble gelatinous residue. 



Indian gum arable is employed commercially in the printing of 

 cotton fabrics and in any other industry where mucilage is required and 

 this gum fulfils the necessary conditions. It enters into the composi- 

 tion of certain paints. 



In medicine it is used as a substitute for the true gum arable; it is 

 also used for confectionery and enters into certain native dishes. It is 

 inferior to that produced in Africa, and is usually a mixture of gum 

 arable and other gums. 



Gum arable may be said to appear in commerce in three forms : — 



(i) The true gum arable of European commerce. 



(2) The gum arable of the East Indies. 



(3) The gum arable of India. 



The first is known as Kordofan, or Tiirhish gjtni. The second 

 bears the names of Mahlai and Maswai, two qualities ; and the third is 

 called Ghati. In India this latter is also called Babnl-ki-grond. 



Acacia arahica inhabits not only India, but aiso the valley of the 

 Nile, Senegal, the Somaliland coast, and the whole of Africa as far as 

 the Cape of Good Hope, Southern Asia, Arabia, &c. 



In Senegal it appears as the red gum tree, the gum of which is of 

 very inferior quality. Guillemin and Perrottet state that a reddish 

 transparent gummy juice exudes from trunk and branches; it is not 

 collected. 



The price of Indian gum arable varies in different countries. In 

 Bilaspur 100 lb. cost Rs. 25; in Nagpur, Rs. 12; in Shapura, Rs. 20; 

 in Berar, where it is very rare, Rs. 50; in Kistna, Rs. 12; &c. These 

 prices are taken from tables for igo2, and we learn from official lists 

 published in the Journal d^ Agriculture troficale that Indian gums 

 are in little demand. Further, prices may be doubled according to the 

 origin of the gums and their condition. 



In April, iQii, Ghati No. i was quoted at 105 francs per 100 kilos; 

 No. 2 at 75 to 80 francs, and for Bushire there was no call. The 

 market is thus very irregular; either there is a scarcity of these gums 

 or they are left on the market without any demand. 



The export value has been : — 



