388 COMPOUND PRODUCTS, CHAP. I. 



Marshmallow. It is found also in Flax-seed, and 

 in many of the Lichens, and is to be obtained only 

 by maceration in water, from which it is separated 

 by means of sulphuric acid. 



Uses. Gum, in all its varieties, is capable of being used 



as an article of food, and is highly nutritive though 

 not very palatable. It is also of considerable utility 

 in the arts, particularly in calico-printing, in which 

 the printer employs it to give consistency to his 

 colours, and to prevent them from spreading. The 

 botanist often uses it to fix his specimens upon 

 paper, for which purpose it is very well adapted. It 

 forms likewise an ingredient in ink ; and in medi- 

 cine it forms the basis of many mixtures, in which 

 its influence is sedative and emollient. 



SECTION II. 



Sugar. 



THE commodity known by the name of sugar, 

 and so much used as an article of food, is the pro- 

 duce of the Arundo sacchari/era or Sugar-cane, a 

 native both of the East and West Indies. The 

 Process of process of manufacture is as follows : The canes, 



manufac- r . 



ture. or stems or the plant, when ripe, are bruised be- 

 tween the rollers of a mill, and the expressed juice 

 is collected and put into large boilers, in which it is 

 mixed with a small quantity of quick-lime, or strong 



ley of ashes, to neutralise its acid, and is then made 



5 



