xix 



large cauldron, the bottom of which h formed of iron, the 

 upper part of bark, aod boiled for five or six hourfii mtil 

 a atrong decoction is obtained ; tlie leaves are thefi with- 

 drawn, and allowed to strain over the vessel, which is kept 

 boiling for as many bours more, until tbe deeociiou is in- 

 spissated ; it \& then allowed to cool when the catechu 

 subsides. Tbe water is drawn off; a aoft soapy sub- 

 stance remaine, which is cut into large masses ; these are 

 further divided by a knife into small cubes, about an inch 

 square, or inti^ still smaller pieces, which are laid in frames 

 to dry. This catechu has more of a granular, uniform 

 ippearance than that of Bengal : it it, perhaps, also less 

 pure," 



A Gaini* ^ ugaally . observed near a pep* 



as the pepper vine does not thrive in the 

 ot Singapore unless well manured : the refuse of the 

 leaves, &-c. used in the manufacture of the extract is found 

 excellent for the purpose of manuriug the vines. 



The younger leaves of the shrub are said to 41 rod a oe 

 the whitest and best Qamhir t the older, a brown and 

 inferior sort There are other species of Nauclea iadige^ 

 nous to Singapore, but they do not produce any ex^et,*' 

 Singapore Chronkh Nov, 14, 1834. 



