421 
DLXXXIX.—SHINIA IN CYPRUS. 
(Pistacia Lentiscus.) 
n 1896, specimens of plants known in Cyprus as “ DA " and 
? actie " respectively, were received from Mr. . Bovill, 
Principal Forest Officer in Cyprus. Thefirstnamed was ree ac 
to be typical Pistacia Lentiscus, and apparently identical with 
the plant yielding the Gum Mastich of the Greek Archipelago, 
chiefly in Chio (the modern Scio). The “ Mastiches” was regarded 
as simply a broad-leaved variety of the same species. In some 
localities in Cyprus the trees of Pistacia d are tappe 
“ but the gum hick exudes is without colour and without taste.” 
The trees yielding mastich in Scio are said to de annii male. 
According to Mr. Bovill, gr Shinia “ grows more or less all over 
Cyprus, from the sea- level to an altitude of 2,500 feet, and most 
luxuriantly through the Bama all along the northern shore of the 
island as far as Ryrenia, all over the Rormakiti Cape from Lefka 
to the village of Peyia, and from Rouklia, in the Paphos district, 
all along the southern dini to Mazoto, in the Larnaca disirict. 
€—— €— 9 the supply is unlimited, for as fast as it is 
dui ow stools. 
t shoots up again from the 
" NI. I a sen of the Cyprus Company, Limited, Limassol, 
writing to me on the subject, says :—-' or some 
England, but thus far the demand for it is limited, and does not 
exceed 100 to 150 tons per annum. Like Sumach, the Shinia 
leaves déitafh tannic acid, but to a less postes Mid the material 
has been found of value for fixing dyes Our buye 
prefer to have the Shinia in the leaf, and we have ibd ceased 
grinding it, and now ship it in pressed esed He e 8, *I feel 
confident that a large demand would grow up for this product 
should its qualities become more widely Lowa. but epi tent 
it is rene difficuit to persuade English manufacturers to try 
new products 
Further information is contained in the following corres- 
pondence received from the Government of Cyprus :— 
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, CYPRUS, to ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
. Chief Secretary’s Office, Nicosia. 
SIR, January 6, 1897. 
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you a copy of a report 
which has been prepared by Mr. Gennadius, the Ct of 
Agriculture, dealing with the cultivation of Shinia leav 
Ishall have pleasure in forwarding to you copies of similar 
pamphlets as they appear, relating to agricultural or economic 
subjects 
m, &c. 
ae) gere YOUNG. 
Chief Secretary. 
The Director, 
Royal Gardens, Kew. 
