GAMBOGE OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 189 



Gale, Sweet. {See Candlebeny Myrtle.) 



Galuncha, a Hindoo name for TinosjJOi^a cordifolia, a 

 climbing shrub of the Moonseed family (Menispermacese). It 

 is esteemed by the Hindoos for its antispasmodic and diuretic 

 properties. 



Gama Grass. {See Buffalo Grass.) 



Gambler {Uncaria Gamhir), native of the Malayan Penin- 

 sula and Islands. It is a slender-growing shrub of the Cin- 

 chona family (Cinchonaceae), climbing by the aid of abortive 

 flower-stalks, that become hard hooks. The leaves are oblong, 

 about 2 or 3 inches in length. It is cultivated at Singapore, 

 Sumatra, and other Malayan islands, for the sake of its leaves, 

 from which, by a process of boiling and evaporating, a pasty sub- 

 stance of a light yellow colour is left, wliich hardens, and is 

 made into cakes or blocks, forming the Gambler of commerce. 

 It is known also by the name of Terra Japonica, large quantities 

 of which are exported to China, where it is used by the natives 

 for chewing with the Betel-nut ; as also to this country, for 

 tanning and dyeing. In 1880, 26,364 cwts. were imported. 



Gamboge, a gum-resin obtained from the stems of different 

 species of Garcinia, a genus of the Gamboge family (Guttifera^). 

 They are natives of Ceylon, India, Siam, and the Malayan 

 Archipelago. There is some uncertainty as to the identity of 

 the several species from which the Gamboge of commerce is 

 obtained. The best comes from Siam, and is supposed to be the 

 produce of Garcinia Haribitrii. Ceylon Gamboge is obtained 

 from Garcinia Morella. Garcinia 'pictoria is abundant in 

 Mysore and Western coast jungles, and yields Gamboge, but is 

 more important for the oil which is obtained from its fruit, and 

 called Gamboge Butter; the fruit also of an allied species, 

 G. 'purfurea, furnishes a similar butter, called Cocum Butter. 

 These oil butters are obtained by pounding the seeds in a 

 mortar ; the whole is then boiled, when the oil rises to the 

 surface. It is used for burning in lamps, or as a substitute for 

 butter. Gamboge is used in the arts, chiefly in water-colour 

 painting, as well as for brass lacquering. In medicine it 



