Guipk of Persia. ] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



103 



times in pieces of 4 or 5 lbs. weight It is very seldom covered with any 

 coat or crust, but resembles those stones which have been washed off from 

 whole strata, and smoothed or rounded by accident afterwards. Its sur- 

 face is naturally smooth and glossy; its colour a very elegant blue, beauti- 

 fully variegated with white or clouded spots, and with gold coloured shining 

 veins. For any purpose but toy-making, it is the most valuable the less it 

 has of these variegations. It is to be chosen of a fine close texture, heavy, 

 of a deep indigo blue colour, having as few gold coloured veins as possible, 

 and such as calcines in a strong fire without emitting any smell. It is some- 

 times rubbed over with olive oil to increase its colour : this may be disco- 

 vered by breaking the stone ; if it be paler within than without, it is a proof 

 that the stone was falsified ; if it be of good quality, its colour will remain un- 

 changed when it is red hot in the fire. The Lapis Armenus, which externally 

 resembles this stone, may be readily distinguished by its being less hard, and 

 soon losing its blue colour in a moderate fire. — Freight, 20 Cwt. to a ton. 



Lapis Tuti*:, or Tutty, is an argillaceous ore of Zinc, found in Persia, 

 formed on cylindrical moulds into tubulous pieces of different lengths, like 

 the bark of a tree, and baked to a moderate hardness. On the outside it is 

 of a brown colour, and full of small protuberances ; smooth and yellowish 

 within, sometimes with a whitish, and sometimes with a blueish cast. The 

 finest is that which is of a good brown on the outside, and a yellow tinge 

 within, thickest, brightest, most granulated, hardest to break, and that 

 which has the least foulness among it. — Freight, 20 Cwt. to a ton. 



Mastic is a concrete resin, obtained from the Lentiavtu* by transverse 

 incisions made in the bark, about the beginning of August. It is in small 

 yellowish-white transparent drops, of a resinous, and rather astringent 

 taste, with a light, agreeable smell, especially when rubbed or heated, 

 tn chewing, it first crumbles, soon after sticks together, and becomes 

 soft and white like wax. It is to be chosen clear, of a pale yellow co- 

 lour, well-scented, and brittle. Such as inclines to black, green, or is 

 dirty, must be rejected. When free from impurities, it totally dissolves 

 in rectified spirits. The wood of the tree is sometimes imported; it 

 should be chosen heavy, compact, and firm, grey without, and white 

 within, of an astringent taste. 



Olibanum (Cundur and Gender ftrozeh, Hind. Cundura, San.) is a 

 gummy resin, produced in Persia and Arabia, in drops or tears. The 

 tree which produces it is called by Dr. Roxburgh, Bosivellia Thurifera 

 (Salai, Hind. SaUaei, San.) Olibanum smells moderately strong and re- 

 sinous, but not very pleasant ; the taste is pungent, and somewhat bitter ; 

 it sticks to the teeth in chewing, becomes white, and turns saliva milky. 



