THE RESINS. 259 



tissue. The Tolu resembles the Mecca Balsam, but is 

 more easily resinified than the latter. Among its constitu- 

 ents are ciunamic and benzoic acids, several resins, and a 

 volatile-oil. Like the preceding balsam, it is also used in 

 medicine. It is also employed in the manufacture of 

 perfumery. 



229. Liquid Storax, or Idquidamber, is obtained from 

 Liquidamber orientale, a tree of Asia Minor, Cypress, etc., 

 which belongs to the Witch-Hazel family {HamamelacecB). 

 The tree throws off the bark in thin plates, like the Syca- 

 more. The exposed, younger bark is removed and boiled 

 in water. The balsam collects at the bottom of the vessel 

 as a heavy slimy liquid, having the odor of vanilla, and a 

 biting taste. The color becomes darker with age, becoming 

 greenish. It is apparently homogeneous ; but under the 

 microscope can be seen a multitude of small resinous 

 granules, remains of tissue, etc. When kept a long time, 

 the granules disappear, and crystals of cinuamic acid are 

 seen embedded in the otherwise homogeneous mass. The 

 Storax in grains is obtained by the hardening of the liquid 

 Storax. It has a brownish-black color, and a smooth 

 lustrous surface ; it becomes soft in the hands. The com- 

 mon Storax is a humus-like mass, with many impurities. 

 It smells strongly of cinnamic acid. In composition it is, 

 like many of the resins and balsams, very complex. It 

 finds use both in perfumery and in medicine ; in the latter 

 as an expectorant. 



230. A small tree, Styrax benzoin (family Styracacem), 

 indigenous in India, yields the resinous gum Benzoin. 

 The trees are cultivated in India, Sumatra, and other 

 places. When they are seven years old, they yield the 

 gum Benzoin spontaneously in small quantities, but mostly 



