426 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



this to be an error. The juniper is not indigenous 

 to Africa, and sandarach appears to belong exclusively 

 to that part of the world, it being brought into 

 Europe from the southern provinces of Morocco. 



The tree which produces it is a species of Thuia, 

 or Arbor vita. It rises to a considerable height, and 

 produces valuable dark-brown heavy timber, from 

 which planks two feet across can be sawn. 



This species of Thuia is distinguished from the two 

 which are cultivated in our shrubberies, by its form 

 and manner of growing : it has a very distinct trunk, 

 and the figure of a tree ; but the branches of the other 

 varieties rise from the root, which gives them the 

 appearance rather of bushes than of trees. Its 

 branches are also more articulated and brittle. Its 

 flowers, which are not very apparent, show themselves 

 in April ; these are succeeded by fruit of a spherical 

 form, which come to maturity in September. When a 

 branch of this tree is held to the light a multitude of 

 transparent vesicles are apparent ; these contain the 

 resin. In the summer months they burst, and then 

 a resinous juice exudes from the trunks and branches, 

 as is the case with other coniferous trees. Sandarach 

 is an article very difficult to be adulterated, but the 

 Moors who collect it contrive sometimes to mix sand 

 with it previously to carrying it to the ports whence it 

 is conveyed to Europe. 



It is admitted into England at a duty of 19s. per cwt., 

 its present price being about & for that quantity : 

 314 cwt. were imported for home consumption in 1830. 



Dragon's blood is a resinous substance brought 

 from the East Indies in the form of oval drops, which 

 are imported wrapped up in flag leaves. It derives 

 its compound name from the redness of its colour and 

 from the name of the tree which yields it, and which 

 some botanists describe as having the figure of a 



