248 POPULAR ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



that much-valued fossil resin. They are extensively used 

 in the manufacture of varnish, for which purpose they are 

 dissolved in alcohol or turpentine. Nearly 300 tons were 

 imported in 1852, chiefly from Africa and Australia. 



Gum Mastic. — The produce of Pistacia Lentiscus. (Nat. 

 Ord. Anacardiacetz.) 



This plant and its resin were known to the ancients under 

 the name of Schinos (oyivos:), and was supposed to have 

 many medicinal virtues. Gum Mastic is in small round 

 or ovoid tears, rarely larger than a pea, and often slightly 

 flattened; they have a light yellow colour, and are only 

 slightly transparent. Mastic has a sweet, resinous smell, 

 and on that account is much used by the Turkish ladies, 

 who chew it to sweeten the breath and preserve the gums. 

 The bush which produces it is a native of Ohio, the south 

 of Europe, and Northern Africa ; it is procured by cutting 

 the bark transversely, upon which the mastic exudes in 

 tears, and either hardens upon the tree, or falls to the 

 ground; that which falls constitutes an inferior quality. 

 It is principally used in making varnish, for varnishing 

 pictures, etc., upon paper and canvas ; dentists also employ 

 it in filling hollow teeth. About ten or twelve tons are 

 annually imported, chiefly from the Levant. 





