24cS 



POPULAR ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



that much-valued fossil resin. They are extensively used 

 in the manufacture of varnish^ for which purpose they are 

 dissolved in alcohol or turpentine. Nearly 300 tons were 

 imported in 1852^ chiefly from Africa and Australia. 



Gum Mastic. — The produce of Pistacia Lentismis, (Nat. 

 Ord. Anacardiacece.) 



This plant and its resin were known to the ancients under 

 the name of ScJimos {o-ylvo^), and was supposed to have 

 many medicinal virtues. Gum Mastic is in small round 

 or ovoid tears^ rarely larger than a pea^ and often slightly 

 flattened ; they- have a light yellow colour, and are only 

 slightly transparent. Mastic has a sweet, resinous smell, 

 and on that account is much used by the Turkish ladies, 

 who chew it to sweeten the breath and preserve the gums. 

 The bush which produces it is a native of Ohio, the south 

 of Europe, and Northern Africa ; it is procured by cutting 

 the bark transversely, upon which the mastic exudes in 

 tears, and either hardens upon the tree, or falls to the 

 ground; that w4iich falls constitutes an inferior quality. 

 It is principally used in making varnish, for varnishing 

 pictures, etc., upon paper and canvas ; dentists also employ 

 it in filling hollow teeth. About ten or twelve tons are 

 annually imported, chiefly from the Levant. 



