183 



the circumference of the trunk, and tie below the cut a joint of 

 bamboo to receive the sap which slowly exudes for some time. 

 "When it first issues from the tree, it is a yellowish fluid, which 

 after passing through a viscid state hardens into the gamboge of 

 commerce. Each tree yields on an average in one season enough 

 to fill 3 joints of bamboo 1^ inches in diameter. The tree appears 

 to suffer no injury provided the tapping is not more frequent than 

 every other year. When the bamboo joints are full, after from 15 

 to 30 days, they are gradually rotated over a fire, until the gam- 

 boge is hard enough to allow of the bamboo being stripped off. In 

 Europe, gamboge is chiefly used for water-colour drawings ; in Bur- 

 ma it is employed to dye silks ; and by Hindus in Mysore as a pig- 

 ment in making caste marks on the forehead. It is used medici- 

 nally in India in combination with other purgatives. The timber 

 is recommended for cabinet-work. (Guttiferce J 



58. Gloriosa svperba, Linn, is a very pretty climbing plant with 



strange looking flowers of a deep rich orange and red colour, It is 

 a native of tropical Asia and Africa, and was introduced into Eng- 

 land about 200 years ago. It belongs to the same family as the Lily, 

 but in outward habit and appearance, is very different. The re- 

 curved, erect petals were likened by Linnaeus to flames. The leaves 

 are remarkable in having their elongated tips modified into tendrils. 

 (Liliacece.J 



59. Gordoxia axomala, Spreng. — This is a handsome shrub with large 



white flowers, nearly related to the cultivated Camellia and to the 

 Tea Plant. It is a native of Hon? Kono- and flowers both at 

 Castleton and at the Hill Garden at an elevation of 5,000 ft. 

 ( Ternstrcemiacece.) 



60. Gyxocardia odorata, R. Br. — This tree, a native of north-east India, 



yields the Chaulmugra Oil, which is expressed from the seeds. 

 The oil has long been used by the natives of India for cutaneous 

 diseases. During the past few years it has become of some im- 

 portance as a drug in Europe, and is recommended as a remedy for 

 leprosy, psoriasis, eczema, scrofula, phthisis, lupus, marasmus, 

 chronic rheumatism, and gout. It is employed both internally and 

 externally. {Bixinew ) 



61. Hevea brasiliexsis, Muell. Arg. — The best Rubber is ob- 



tained from these trees, and as the province of Para in Brazil is 

 the chief source of it, the name applied to it in commerce is 

 Para Rubber. 



The trees are 60 feet high before rubber is collected from them. 

 The mode of collecting is to make deep gashes into the bark, 

 and stick cups of clay beneath the incisions to catch the milky 

 juice. Coagulation of the rubber from the milk is effected by 

 heating thin layers of it on a paddle-shaped mould over the hot 

 smoke of a fire made of palm nuts. When a sufficient thickness 

 has been obtained, the rubber is cut and taken off the mould. 



