ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [G til pit of Persia. 



The drops are of a pale yellow colour, which by age becomes reddish. 

 Laid on red hot iron, Olibanum readily catches flame, and burns with 

 a strong diffusive, not unpleasant smell. If it be run into a mass, mixed 

 with dirt and rubbish, having but few tears, it is of little value. Freight, 

 18 Cwt. to the ton. 



OroroNAx is a concrete giimmy-rcsinous juice, obtained from the root 

 of the P'mlaca Opnp(niam 9 a flower-bearing plant, which grows in Turkey, 

 Arabia, and Persia. It is of a tolerably firm texture, usually in smull grains, 

 but sometimes in large masses, formed by a number of grains connected 

 with a matter of the same kind. The masses are generally loaded with 

 foreign substances, and are much inferior to the pure loose drops. The 

 finest Opoponax is in grains from the size of a pin's head to that of a large 

 pea. The internal colour of these grains is a pale yellow, frequently mixed 

 with white, and externally they incline to a red or orange colour. They 

 are moderately heavy, of a somewhat fat or unctuous appearance, smooth 

 on the surface, of an acrid, bitter taste, and a strong disagreeable smell. 

 Opoponax should be chosen in clear pieces, with the before-mentioned 

 qualities. Such tears as are black, and too hard, should be rejected. The 

 masses or cakes are usually of the black colour, and full of sticks and 

 straws. Opoponax is a valuable gum, and is principally brought from 

 Turkey.— Freight, 16 Cwt. to a ton. 



Pearl Shells, commonly called mother of pearl, are the shells of 

 the pearl-oyster, from the fishery in the Persian Gulpli ; some of them are 

 from 8 to 10 inches in diameter, nearly of a round form, and thick in 

 proportion. These shells are sent to Bombay, and from thence to China, 

 where they are manufactured into beads, fish, counters, spoons, Sec. The 

 larger the size, the more they are esteemed. They are brought to Europe 

 both from India and China; and when stowed loose as dunnage, arc 

 generally admitted to pass free of freight. For the Europe market, these 

 shells should be chosen of the largest size, of a beautiful pearlish lustre, 

 thick and even, free from yellow and other spots. Reject such as are 

 small, have barnacles or lumps on them, and that are cracked or broken. — 

 Freight 20 Cwt to a ton. 



Rose Haloes, an article of trade from India to China, is pearly, 

 the consistence of tar; it is in jars, and particular care should be taken in 

 examining every jar, for there is generally dirt in them. It should be 

 quite clear, not of a yellow, or rosy colour. 



Rose Water is a considerable article of trade from Persia to Surat 

 and Bombay, and is packed in chests, each chest 24- bottles ; but there is a 

 great difference in the size of the bottles, which the purchaser must pay 



