PLANTS OF PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND. 73 



inspissated by the heat of the sun ; and moulded into round 

 cakes. 



The Gain beer, when first tasted, impresses on the palate a 

 strong sensation of bitter and astringency. But it afterwards 

 leaves a sweetish taste, which remains a long time. From 

 these sensible qualities, it may reasonably be expected to prove 

 useful in medicine. 



A plantation of this shrub, and a manufacture for this 

 drug, was set on foot, some years ago, by a Chinese near Batoo- 

 Lanshun. But he found the same obstacle to this, that has 

 proved fatal to most other manufactures hitherto attempted 

 on the island. The pay of his workmen came so high, that 

 the drug cost him more than the market price of that which 

 is imported. He has therefore rooted out the plants, and put 

 pepper vines in their place. 



From the sensible qualities of the Gam beer, it appears 

 likely to yield a considerable quantity of tanning substance, 

 which has lately been the subject of inquiry from the Honour- 

 able the Court of Directors, respecting the Kut, or Cutch. 

 And, some rough trials which I have made on it, with animal 

 gluten, compared with those of Dr. Koxburgh on Kut, evince 

 it to be richer in that material than the Kut. 



Not having found the flowers expanded, I was unable to 

 give that most essential part in my drawing ; but the deficiency 

 has been supplied by the favour of Dr. Koxburgh from a draw- 

 ing transmitted to him by Dr. Berry of Madras. 



2. Naaclea acid a, H. 



Climbing ; branches four cornered, smooth ; Leaves ovate, 

 pointed, smooth ; Stipules four, pointed ; Peduncles axillary, 

 solitary, simple, jointed, bracted, recurved after flowering, 

 persistent. 



Perhaps N. aculeata, Willden 929. Uncaria aculeata. 

 Willden Uster, Delect. 2, p. 200. Uncaria Gen. PI. ed. 

 Schreb. n. 311. Ouroiiparia guianensis Aubl. gui. 1, p. 177, 

 t. 68. The leaves have an acid taste. Found at Soongey 

 Clooan. 



R. A Soc, No. 53, 1909- 



