OF PRODUCTION OF ALOES -WOOD. 83 



qualities, and affording such unforeseen results in 

 the same subject, I shall now explain from the 

 observations I have made. 



The manner in which Agallochum is formed 

 within its mother-tree, is analogous to that by 

 which scirrhous tumours, consequent gangren, and 

 mortification are produced in animal bodies ; 

 which, unlefs checked in their progress by art, 

 prove fatal. Now it often happens in various parts 

 of the trunk or branches of the Aloexylum, that 

 its alimentary juices, rising in an unconcocted state, 

 (hence too thick or too viscous for the slender 

 and confined passage afforded by the vertical ves- 

 sels) form these obstructions, which are constantly 

 increasing by the accumulations of others that 

 continue to be impelled towards them from the 

 root ; and whilst the more subtle parts exhale by 

 the lateral vessels and pores in the bark, the thicker. 



and oily ones remain behind, and in the course of 



1 

 time are coagulated into a resinous mass. This 



when accumulated to a sufficient degree, extends 



and bursts the vessels and channels in which it 



f 2 



