326 GARCINIA AFFORDING GAMBOGE IN SIAM. 



1864. distinguished by their smaller size (1 to 1 feet long by 6 to 8 

 lines broad) ; their form, which is less regularly straight and 

 cylindrical and often attenuated at the apex ; and their pale, 

 austere-tasting pulp. This last character would render their sub- 

 stitution for ordinary Cassia undesirable. [N. Repert. f. Pharm. 

 xiii. 1.] 



ON THE SPECIES OF GARCINIA WHICH AFFORDS 

 GAMBOGE IN SIAM. 



(With Plate.) 

 (Read before the Linnean Society, April 7th, 1864.) 



1864. MORE than two centuries and a half have elapsed since one of 



the old Dutch voyagers, returning from an expedition to India, 

 brought to the notice of his learned countrymen a gum-like 

 substance of an orange colour, to which various important medi- 

 Introduction cinal properties were ascribed. This was the first introduction 

 into Europe. to Europe of gamboge, a production which, from that time to 

 the present, has been an article of import. But, like many 

 other substances having technical uses, its precise place of pro- 

 duction long remained unknown, while its botanical origin has 

 up to the present time not been exactly determined. The object 

 of the present communication is to lay before the Linnean 

 Society some information lately gathered illustrating this latter 

 point. 



The whole history of gamboge, including the various opinions 

 that have been entertained as to its source, and the facts that 

 have been made out during two centuries respecting it, having 

 been admirably told by the learned French pharmacologist, Pro- 

 Professor fessor Guibourt, and a resume of them having been given by Drs. 

 Guibourt. Planchon and Triana, in their recent Memoir e sur la Famille des 

 Guttiferes (p. 196), it would savour of plagiarism here to repeat 

 it. I shall therefore content myself with referring to these 

 writers, and simply state those points touching the origin of 

 this drug which it is desirable to bear in mind on the present 

 occasion. 



Passing over the supposition of Clusius and Bontius, who 



