TANNING MATERIALS 85 



at $274,891 . A closely allied species from Chile called algarobilla (Casal- 

 pinia brevifolia) is very rich in tannin. In 1915 the port of Curacao, 

 West Indies, shipped 500 tons of divi-divi to the United States. 



Divi-divi is shipped principally from the ports of Caracas and Mara- 

 caibo and brought about 1.6 cents per pound at these ports in 1914. 



Divi-divi has been used for over one hundred years but chiefly by the 

 Germans. In use it is usually blended with certain tanbarks or other 

 extracts. It readily adapts itself to separation into the extract form. 



IMPORTED SUMACH 



Sicilian sumach (Rhus coriaria), as it is known in tanning circles, 

 contains from 20 to 35 per cent of tannin and is regarded as a valuable 

 tanning agent in this country, where the importation has increased 

 within recent years up to 1916. 



It grows chiefly in Sicily and southern Italy, where it is extensively 

 cultivated although it is found in other sections of the Mediterranean 

 basin as well. In the year 1916 this country imported 17,454,996 Ib. 

 valued at $472,590. Owing to the war, its importation decreased during 

 1917 and 1918. 



Sumach tannin is used principally for tanning fine leathers such as 

 glove and book leathers and, as a mordant, to fix the basic aniline dyes. 



VALONIA 



Valonia is the usual commerical name given to the acorn of the 

 Turkish oak (Quercus cegilops), which grows chiefly in Asia Minor and 

 to a less extent in the Grecian Archipelago. It is sometimes called, 

 according to its origin, Smyrna valonia and Greek valonia. 



In 1915, this country imported 6,352,190 Ib. of valonia valued at 

 $88.061 and only 244,000 Ib. in 1909. 



These acorn cups may contain up to 45 per cent tannin. The tannin 

 is readily derived in the form of an extract. It is seldom used alone as 

 it has an injurious effect on the leather, but excellent results are obtained 

 when used with other tanning materials. It is in great demand in normal 

 times in Austria and Russia for the tanning of fine leathers in those 

 countries. 



OTHER FOREIGN TANNING MATERIALS 



Gambier is used for both tanning and dyeing purposes. It comes to 

 this country from Singapore and in 1914, 16,450,000 Ib. costing $625,000 



