PRODUCTS OP THE PEA FAMILY. 36!) 



large East Indian tree, is valuable for the strength and durability of ita 

 timber, which has the advantage of being easily worked ; the sweet mealy 

 pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten by the natives, as is also the pulp of 

 several other species of this genus. The brown, shining seeds of Desmanthus 

 virgatus, Willd., are, from their ornamental appearance, occasionally made up 

 into fancy articles here and in the West Indies. Gum Arabic of commerce is 

 produced by several species of Acacia, as A. vera, Willd., A. Arabica 

 Willd., and A . verek, G. et P. It is obtained by spontaneous exudation from 

 the trunk and branches, or by incisions made in the bark, from whence it 

 flows in a liquid state, but soon hardens by exposure to the air. The 

 largest quantity of gum is yielded in Barbary during the hottest part of 

 the season — July and August. A wet winter and a cool or mild summer 

 are unfavourable to the production of gum. Our imports now are prin- 

 cipally derived from Senegal, Western Africa. We also receive it from 

 Barbary, the East Indies, Cape of Good Hope, the Levant, and other parts 

 of the Mediterranean, packed in either bags, casks, or chests. Gum Arabic 

 is largely used as an adhesive agent, and also in medicine as an emollien. 

 and demulcent, likewise in various forms of confectionary, as lozenges, &c, 

 The source of true Gum Arabic is supposed to be A. vera, Willd., a native 

 of Arabia and Africa. Gum Senegal is also said to be produced by this 

 tree. The pods have been used in tanning and dyeing, under the name of 

 91 Senegal bablah." The gum of A. Arabica, Willd., a native also of Arabia, 

 Egypt, Senegal, and India, forms part of the Gum Arabic of the shops. 

 In India, it is mixed with the seeds of Sesamum orientale, alter the ex- 

 pression of the oil, and used as food by the natives. An infusion of the 

 bark is used as a tonic medicine, and a decoction of the same considered 

 efficacious in the cure of ulcers ; it is also employed as a substitute for 

 soap, and is said to be used in the distillation of Airack. The bark, 

 powdered and mixed with Gingelley oil, is applied in cases of cancer. The 

 wood is used for wheels, tent-pegs, and various other purposes, and in some 

 parts of India is reduced to charcoal for the manufacture of gunpowder. 

 The pods and seeds are eaten by sheep in the hot season during the scarcity 

 of grass. The bark, known as " Babool bark," is said to be powerfully 

 astringent, and is used in the East Indies for tanning ; it has been employed 

 in this country, but with little success. By some this tree has been thought 

 to be identical with the Shittim tree of Scripture. The higbly astringent 

 resinous substance known as Catechu, or Cutch, is the inspissated juice 

 obtained from Acacia Catechu, Willd. The terms Cutch, Catechu, and 

 Terra japonica, were formerly used synonymously, the latter name being 

 given when the substance was erroneously supposed to be a sort of astrin- 

 gent earth from Japan.* The term Catechu is now most generally used, and 

 is derived from Cate, a tree, and chu, juice. The tree is a native of the 

 East Indies, w T here it is found widely distributed ; it also grows in Jamaica, 



* The term Terra Japonica is now usually restricted to Gambier, the product of 

 Cncarw Gaihlir. —Editor. 



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