MANNA. 409 



absence of one or other of them in benzoin, is due to circumstances at 

 present unexplained. Rump is of the opinion that the last-named acid 

 exclusively is present in the Penang (or Sumati*a) benzoin and that no 

 variety of the drug contains both those acids. 



Rump (1878) treated Siam benzoic with caustic lime (see p. 407), 

 precipitated the benzoic acid with hydrochloric acid, and agitated the 

 liquid with ether. The latter on evaporating afibrded a mixture of 

 benzoic acid and Vanillin (see article Vanilla). 



Commerce — The statistics of Singapore,^ the great emporium of the 

 commerce of the Indian Archipelago, show the imports of Gum Benjamin 

 in 1871 as 7442 cwt., of which quantity C185 cwt. had been shipped from 

 Sumatra and 405 cwt. from Siam. In 1877 only 1871 peculs (2227 cwts.) 

 were exported from Singapore. Penang, which is also a mart for this drug 

 was stated in 1871 to have received from Sumatra for trans-shipment, 

 4959 cwt. of Gum Benjamin. 



Padang in Sumatra exported in 1870, 4303 peculs (5122 cwt.) ; and 

 in 1871, 4064 peculs (4838 cwt.) of benzoin.^ 



The imports of Gum Benjamin into Bombay in the year 1871-72 

 were no less than 5975 cwt., and the exports 1043 cwt.^ 



Uses — Benzoin appears to be nearly devoid of medicinal properties, 

 and is but little employed. It is chiefly imported for use as incense in 

 the service of the Greek Church. 



OLEACEJE. 



MANNA. 

 Manna ; F. Manne ; G. Manna. 



Botanical Origin — Fraxinus Ormis L. {Omus europcea Pers.), the 

 Manna-ash, is a small tree found in Italy, whence it extends northwards 

 as far as the Canton of Tessin in Switzerland and the Southern Tyrol. 

 It also occurs in Hungary (Buda) and the eastern coasts of the Adriatic, 

 in Greece, Turkey (Constantinople), in Asia Minor about Sm3'rna and at 

 Adalia on the south coast. It grows in the islands of Sicily, Sardinia 

 and Corsica, and is found in Spain at Moxente in Valencia.^ As an 

 ornamental tree it has been introduced into Central Europe, where it is 

 often seen of greater dimensions, sometimes acquiring a height of about 

 30 feet. It blossoms in early summer, producing numerous feathery 

 panicles of dull white flowers which give it a pleasing appearance. The 

 foliage exhibits great variation in shape of leaflets, even where the tree 

 is uncultivated ; and the fruits also are very diverse in form. 



In some districts of Sicily, a little manna is obtained from the 

 Common Ash, F. excelsior L. 



History — The name Manna, though originally applied to the ali- 

 ment miraculously provided for the sustenance of the ancient Israelites 



^ Blue Book for the Colony of the Straits of the Presidency of Bombay for 1871-72, 

 Settlements, Singapore, 1872. pt. ii. 26. 79. 



- Consulai- Reports, August 1873. 953. * Fraxinus Bungeana DC, a tree of 



' Statement of the Trade and Navigation Northern China, appears to be hardly dis- 

 tinct from F. Omus. 



