RESINS. 



423 



Mastic Tree Pistacia lentiscus. 



autumn. At Scio a few slight varieties are to be 

 found bearing larger leaves, which are the conse- 

 quence of culture, and which are perpetuated by 

 layers and graftings. 



In order to obtain the mastic, numerous incisions 

 are made in the trunk and principal branches of the 

 lentisk, during five days in the middle of July. A 

 liquid juice gradually exudes from these incisions; 

 this thickens by exposure to the air so immediately as 

 mostly to adhere to the tree in the form of drops, 

 but when very abundant it falls to the ground before 



