S VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR* 



and mullirooms, the colours of which are 

 lively and agreeable, and which have an 

 exquifite favour. The Malegaches call them 

 hofat^ and know very well how to diftinguifh 

 thofe which are not prejudicial to the health. 

 Ufeful guma and refins are alfo colleded 

 here: the milky juice which the illanders 

 draw from trees, called in their language 

 jftngukre^y produces, when it coagulates, 

 that fingular fubftance known to naturalifts 

 by the name of elaftic gum. The elafticity 

 of this refmous gum has been lately employ* 

 cd in various arts ; furgery has even derived 

 fome benefit from it, as it ferves to make 

 excellent bandages : but it is evident, that 

 this valuable fubftance may be ufed with 

 advantage for many other purpofes* 

 Ail the forefts of Mad agafcar abound with 



* latrplfha zlqfim^ Linn. T. 



plants 



