212 HAMAMELIDACE^E 



The outer bark is bruised, then the inner bark becomes saturated 

 with this pathological exudation. The outer bark is removed and the 

 inner is boiled in sea water, the storax is skimmed off the surface as it 

 rises, then afterward the boiled bark is pressed. The bark which yet 

 contains some balsam is dried and used chiefly as incense. Good 

 storax should not contain over 30 per cent, of water and 60 per cent, 

 should be soluble in alcohol. 



The Liquidambar orientalis, growing in the southwest districts of 

 Asia Minor, produces the balsam also, it is said. It is a gigantic tree 



FIG. 109. Liquidambar oricnlalis Branch. 



"like the great oak, having clusters (of berries) like those of the oak, 

 but its berries are larger." The inner bark of the tree is boiled in 

 water and the balsam pressed out. A superior kind is said to be 

 obtained by simply pressing the bark before it is boiled. Another 

 kind of liquid storax is mentioned that which exudes naturally. 



HABITAT. Asia Minor. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. It is a viscid, gray semi-liquid, with an agree- 

 able odor, and a balsamic, somewhat acrid taste; a heavier dark 

 brown layer separates on standing. 



