CATECHU. 193 



sometimes called Nib-nib, are much used by the Egyptian 

 tanners ; they are about two or three inches in length, flat 

 and drawn in between each seed : this is a characteristic of 

 the Mimosa tribe. A few importations have been seen in 

 the British markets, but they are not in demand. 



Catechu, Terra Japonica, Cutch, and Gambier. — 

 Under these names we receive very large quantities of vege- 

 table extract which contains tannic acid in great abundance, 

 and is consequently very valuable in tanning processes. 

 The various names under which this article comes, serve 

 to define several well-marked varieties, which probably ori- 

 ginate entirely from the different modes of manufacture 

 adopted by the natives in various localities of the Indian 

 Empire, whence we derive the entire supply of this useful 

 material. 



Catechu is the extract of the wood of Acacia Catechu 

 (Nat. Ord. Leguminosce) , the seeds of Arcca Catechu (Nat. 

 Ord. Palmacece), and the leaves of Nauclea Gambir (Nat. 

 Ord. Cinchonacece) . 



The Acacia Catechu is a small spiny tree rarely exceeding 

 twenty feet in height ; the wood is hard and heavy, the cen- 

 tre is of a very dark red colour, nearly approaching to black ; 

 it is from this portion of the wood the extract is made. In 



o 



