THE GUM TREE. 63 



them of a sweet taste, which is eaten by the 

 natives and birds, and is also a source of attrac- 

 tion to multitudes of ants and other insects ; 

 the capsules are triangular, and contain three 

 flat black seeds in distinct cells. 



It secretes a yellow gum, resembling very much 

 in appearance, though not in quality, the gam- 

 boge ; externally it has a dull yellow appear- 

 ance, but breaks with a bright yellow fracture, 

 and is often streaked internally with red. In 

 its natural state it has no fragrant smell, but 

 by the action of fire it diffuses an agreeable 

 odour, resembling that produced by frankin- 

 cense, instead of which, I believe, it has been 

 used in the Roman Catholic churches on the 

 continent. It exudes spontaneously from the 

 trunk, in very small globules, and is found in 

 very thin layers about the bases of the petioles 

 of the leaves, but may be melted into large 

 masses. 



The resin (more commonly known as the 

 gum acaroides) is slightly bitter, pungent and 

 astringent, and has been used in dyspeptic, dy- 

 senteric, and other cases ; but not with such 

 success as to cause it to be admitted into our 

 materia medica. 



The floral beauties were profusely lavished, 

 and the brilliancy and gaiety they impart to the 



