GUM GALBANUM. 309 



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Gum Sagapenum — is another gum-resin, obtained in a 

 similar manner from a species of Ferula, which has not yet 

 been correctly determined. It occurs both in tears and in 

 mass ; the former is in small brownish-yellow tears adher- 

 ing together so as to form masses. The mass sagapenum 

 is soft and tough, and of a dark yellowish-brown colour. 

 This gum has a slight smell of onions. The quantity im- 

 ported is small. 



Gum Galbanum. — A gum-resin which exudes from in- 

 cisions made in the stalk of Galbanum officinale. (Nat. 

 Ord. UmbellifercB.) 



The chief interest attached to this gum arises from its 

 rarity, the uncertainty of its native locality, and its great 

 antiquity, as an esteemed vegetable product. Thus it is 

 mentioned by Moses in Exodus xxx. 34 : " And the Lord 

 said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and 

 onycha, and galbanum ; these sweet spices with pure frank- 

 incense : of each there shall be a like weight." It is sup- 

 posed, without any certainty, to be a native of Syria, of 

 Persia, and of Arabia. It is either in brownish-yellow, semi- 

 transparent tears, round, and about the size of peas, or else 

 it is in agglutinated masses consisting of the tears probably 

 of an inferior quality, and usually of a darker colour, less 



