GUM ARABIC MIMOSA. 251 



paper, leaves a greasy stain, like oil would do. 

 Naturally the gum exudes from cracks in the bark 

 of the trunk near the roots, and flows freely upon 

 the stones immediately underneath. Artificially, it 

 is obtained by bruises made with stones. Iron 

 instruments are never employed to produce the 

 wound, not from any prejudice, I believe, but from 

 the scarcity of that metal, and the great care taken 

 of their weapons by the Dankalli, and from finding, 

 perhaps, that a blow given with a stone occasions a 

 broader injury to the bark, and that the gum 

 exudes more plentifully in consequence. The 

 natives collect it principally in the hot months of 

 July and August, but it is to be found, though in 

 very small quantities, at other times of the year. It 

 is collected in small kid-skins, and taken to Errur, 

 where the Hurrah merchants, when they pass through 

 that country on their way home from Shoa, pur- 

 chase it. An equal quantity of tobacco is given in 

 exchange for it. The Hurrah merchant conveys it 

 to the great annual market at Berberah, from whence 

 great quantities are shipped for India and Arabia. 



During our search for the myrrh, I often came 

 upon the gum Arabic mimosa, with its little 

 black thorn, very different from the long white- 

 thorned variety from which I obtained some of 

 the red gum. Gum Arabic, when taken from the 

 tree, is soft, and of an agreeable # taste, something 

 resembling very young wheat in the ear, and must 

 be a nutritious and pleasant food. The Dankalli 



