244 ROSACEiE. 



Gautier (1877) also obtained the two latter products, but lie is of the 

 opinion that they are due to a somewhat different reaction, the formula 

 of catechin, as derived from his analyses, being C^^H^*0^ He also as- 

 serts that the so-called catechin from Uncaria (see Gambler) is not 

 identical with the substance under notice, nor with that found in the 

 Mahogan wood, to which Gantier assigns the formula C^H*^0^^ 



Crystallized deposits of catechin are sometimes met with in fissures 

 of the trunk of Acacia Catechu, and used medicinally in India under the 

 name Keersal} 



Lowe (1873), by exhausting cutch with cold water and then agita- 

 ting the solution with ether, obtained upon the evaporation of the latter 

 a yellow crystalline substance which he ascertained to be Quercetin, 

 ^27ui8Qi2 j^g solubility in water is probably favoured by the presence 

 of catechin, water having but very little action upon pure quercetin. 

 The amount of quercetin in cutch is exceedingly small. 



When either cutch or gambler is subjected to dry distillation it 

 yields, in common with many other substances, Pyrocatechin, C®H*(OH)l 



Commerce — The importations of cutch into the United Kingdom 

 from British India (excluding the Straits Settlements and Ceylon) were 

 as under, almost the whole being from Bengal and Burma : — 



1869 1870 1871 1872 



2257 tons. 5252 tons. 4335 tons. 5240 tons. 



The total value of the cutch imported in 1872 was estimated at 

 £124,458. 



Uses — Cutch under the name of Catechu, which name it shares 

 with gambler, is employed in medicine as an astringent. ' 



Analogous Products — See our articles Semen Arecse and Gambler. 



ROSACEA. 

 AMYGDALiE BULGES. 



Sweet Almonds ; F. Amandes douces; G. Silsse Manddn. 



Botanical Origin — Prunus Amygdalus Baillon^ var. /3. dulcify 

 {Amygdalus communis L. var. ^.didcis DC.) — The native country of the 

 almond cannot be ascertained with precision. A, de CandoUe,^ after 

 reviewing the statements of various authors concerning the occurrrence 

 of the tree in an apparently wild state, arrives at the conclusion that 

 its original area possibly extended from Persia, westward to Asia Minor 

 and Syria, and even to Algeria. The tree is found ascending to 4000 

 feet in the Antilebanon, to 8000 in Mesopotamia, and even to 9000 feet 

 in the Avroman range, not far from Sulemania, Southern Kurdistan.'' 



At an early period the tree was spread throughout the entire Medi- 

 terranean region, and in favourable situations, far into the continent of 

 Europe. It was apparently introduced into Italy from Greece, where 



1 Djmiock, Ph. Joum. vih (1876) 109. » Q4ographie Botaniqtie, ii. (1855) 888. 



^ Hisl.rles Plavfpa (Monogr. des Rosacies, * Boissier, Flora Orienfali,% ii. (1872) 641. 



1869) i. 415. 



