491 



Dammar. 



The dammars form a group of resins characterised by being 

 largely soluble in spirits of wine or oil of turpentine and therefore 

 suitable for the preparation of so-called "spirit varnishes" used 

 mainly for indoor woodwork, paper, cloth, etc. They are obtained 

 from species of Hopea, Shored, and Balanocarpus, mainly in the 

 Federated Malay States as well as in Sumatra and other Dutch East 

 Indian Islands, Small quantities of dammarlike resins are obtained 

 in India, but so far as European commerce is concerned these are of 

 no importance. The dammars are all collected from living trees. 

 The Dutch East Indian resin is shipped chiefly from Batavia, whilst the 

 product of the Federated Malay States reaches Europe via Singapore. 



The value of Singapore dammar in London at present is 25s. to 

 67s. per cwt., whilst that from Batavia is worth 65s. to 70s. per cwt. 



Dammar Resins from the Federated Malay States. 



These dammar resins, produced in the Federated Malay States, 

 were forwarded to the Imperial Institute by the Conservator of Forests 

 in 1905, with the request that information might be supplied as 

 regards their suitability for varnish-making and their probable com- 

 mercial values in this country. 



Description of Samples. 



No. I. (Dammar Penak, No. I quality, derived from Bahinocnrpns 

 niaximns ov Wrdyi): -The sample weighed nearly one pound, and 

 consisted of tears agglomerated into masses of light yellow transparent 

 resin. It was brittle, readily reduced to powder, and appeared to be 

 quite free from any foreign matter. It was partly soluble in alcohol, 

 completely so in ether, and almost entirely soluble in turpentine, 

 forming a slightly opalescent solution, which when applied to sized 

 wood, dried to a brilliant, transparent, hard, and almost colourless 

 "coat." 



No. 2. (Dammar Kumus, from a Shorea sp., rather like Shorea 

 glauca, probably 5. ciliata Ed). — The sample weighed about four ounces, 

 and consisted of two small masses of reddish-brown resin, which was 

 translucent in thin pieces. It was partially soluble in alcohol, and 

 almost completely soluble in ether. The solution in oil of turpentine 

 was dark coloured, and when applied to sized wood left a fairly hard, 

 brownish "coat" which was not very glossy. 



No. 3. (Dammar Mata Kuching, Port Dickson;. — Ihis sample 

 weighed about 1.5 ounces, and consisted of small, roughly ovoid, 

 slightly yellow transparent tears of resin. It was hard, and free from 

 foreign matter, and dissolved partially in alcohol and completely in 

 ether. The solution in oil of turpentine was clear, and when applied 

 to sized wood left a hard, brilliant, nearly colourless "coat." 



