298 NOTES ON TANNING SUBSTANCES. 



300 tons were imported into this country ; but since then nothing more has 

 been heard of them in England. 



Algaroba bark is used for tanning in South America. There is a tannery 

 in Cordova where it is said to be used. 



Combretace^e (Myrobolans). — " All natives of the tropics of Asia, 

 Africa, and America ; no species is extra-tropical ; mostly astringents." 



Myrobolans, the dead fruit of Terminalia Chebula and Bellerica, con- 

 tain a large percentage of tannin, and are used to a considerable extent for 

 tanning, particularly in India (whence they are imported). They deposit a 

 large quantity of " bloom " of a yellowish hue, and make a firm leather. 

 Myrobolans should be gathered when green, and whilst the sap is in the tree 

 (for then they contain most tannin), and dried ; those that drop off when 

 over-ripe are not so good in quality, and are of a darker hue. 



RhizophoracEjE, or Mangroves, are " natives of the shores of the 

 tropics, where they root in the mud, and form a close thicket down to the 

 verge of the ocean. Such thickets are so dense, that they entirely intercept 

 the rays of the sun, and, preventing the exhalation of putrid miasmata, 

 become the most unhealthy places in a tropical climate." 



Mangrove Bark, and Leaves are used for tanning in the Brazils, 

 where the tree grows very abundant. It has never been used in this coun- 

 try, but would form a very valuable addition to the list of English tanning 

 substances. Almost every part of the mangrove — the bark, root, and fruit 

 more particularly — abounds in an astringent principle which is successfully 

 applied to the purposes of tanning. 



For external application in arresting haemorrhage and disposing malig- 

 nant ulcers to assume a healthy action, a decoction of the bark has been 

 found most effectual by Dr Barham, who informs us, in his work, that 

 he had a son " extraordinarily full of the confluent small-pox, the soles 

 of whose feet separated and came off like the sole of a shoe, and left 

 his feet raw, and so tender that he could not set them upon the ground ; 

 upon which he sent for some of the tan-fat or liquor of the bark, such as 

 they tan the leather with, and added a little alum and boiled it up very 

 strong, with which he bathed his feet every day, and in about a week's 

 time his feet were as hard and as firm as ever, and he was able to walk 

 about without shoes on." For tanning, the mangrove is said to be 

 in6nitely superior to oak bark, completing in six weeks an operation which 

 with the latter occupies at least six months, and the sole leather so tanned 

 is said to be more durable than any other. 



In addition to the foregoing classified list of tanning substances, there 

 axe many which are either used or stated to be suitable for tanning 

 purposes, amongst which may be enumerated the following, some of which 

 were exhibited in the Exhibition at Paris in 1855. 



East Indian Products. — Palachy extract (Butea superba), from Cochin. 

 Asacum extract (Terminalia tomentosa). Mochrus (Bombax Malabarica). 

 Subanjuna (Moringa pterygosperma), N. W. India. Saul-tree bark (Shorea 

 robusta). Pomegranate rind (Punica granatuni). Calotropis gigantea. 



