NATURAL PRODUCTIONS OF THE EAST INDIES. 73 



when rubbed on paper, as I have this moment tried it, exhi- 

 bits electric powers, by attracting small bits of paper, fea- 

 thers, &c. I however do not mean to point out its quahties, 

 but rather send this sample for information, requesting- you 

 to get, it examined by some well-qualified persons, and let 

 me know the result. Large quantities ma3r be had in this. 

 country to send to Europe, if it is found useful, and will 

 answer in price. 



There is brought annvially from Muscat in Arabia to this A similar resin 

 market considerable quantities of a similar resin, under the ^°^'^ for amber. 

 Persian name kahroba, which signifies amber; some of this 

 I have also the pleasure to send you, and also beg to be in- 

 formed of its nature and qualities. The purest pieces are 

 susceptible of a fine polish, and are here cut int.o beads and 

 ornaments, which are much worn by the natives as well as 

 European ladies. I once saw a very beavitiful string of these 

 beads sent to England under the naine of amber beads. 

 The most beautiful amber-coloured pieces are therefore the 

 most valuable, and are sold for about a shilling the pound by 

 retail in the bazar. The less pure pieces and the green- ' 

 coloured are at a much lower rate. My correspondent, 

 who resides where the tree grows in the elevated lands of 

 Malabar, sent me chiefly green pieces, thinking, no doubt, 

 they were the most beautiful, and v/ould therefore be the 

 piost acceptable. 



In the 9th volume of the Researches of the Asiatic Society oiibanunv, 

 at Calcutta is a paper on olibanum, by Mr. Colebrook, the 

 president ; some of this article, which he was so good as to 

 give me to send to the Society, will accompany this letter ; 

 we both v.'ish you would get it examined, and favour us with 

 an account thereof as early as possible, particularly if send- 

 ing it to London for sale can answer any good purpose. I 

 have not yet got any thing which I think will answer for 

 lignum vitoe, nor have I yet got the log of black wood (seet- 

 saul, Hind.) mentioned in my last letter. In the same parcel 

 with your three specimens above-mentioned, I have put one 

 of the resin of Valeria indica, and one of ohbanum, for the 

 Company's Museum, which I request you to send with my 



cotaplimehts 



