GUM KUTEERA, 245 



which hang upon the hills where the Astragalus grows, the 

 highly absorbent wood takes in the moisture so as to swell 

 considerably, thereby exercising a great degree of pressure 

 upon the bark, which does not give way in proportion to 

 the swelling of the wood, in consequence of which its fluid 

 contents are pressed out, and solidify by drying. 



Tragacanth is much valued by our manufacturers of 

 crape: its stiffening qualities are very superior, both the 

 brittleness and glossiness of the Acacia gums being absent 

 in tragacanth. The supply is very limited, the imports 

 rarely exceeding 30 tons per annum. 



Gum Kuteera, produced by Sterculia mens (Nat. Ord. 

 Sterculiacea) , resembles Tragacanth, and has been im- 

 ported to this country from Coromandel and used as a 

 substitute; it was formerly much used, but has lately be- 

 come rare. 



Sierra Leone Tragacanth is the produce of another species 

 of Sterculia, S. Tragacantha ; it is named thus from the 

 strong resemblance of its exudation to the genuine traga- 

 canth. It is rarely imported. 



Gum Bassora. — This, as its name implies, is received 

 from Bassora ; it consists chiefly of the principle lassorin, to 

 which its name has been given. It is in irregularly shaped 



