248 
AMYRIS ELEMIFERA. 
to any great height; that the trunk is small, and covered with a 
greyish bark; the leaves are petioled, ternate or pinnate, and stand 
opposite on the branches ; the leaflets are stiff, pointed, shining, of 
a bright green above, and downy underneath ; the flowers are small, 
in terminal corymbs, and white; the petals are inflex at their tips; 
the fruit is the figure of an olive. 
The resin is obtained by making incisions in the bark in dry 
weather, especially at the full of the moon; the resinous juice flows 
from the incisions, and is left to harden in the sun. Elemi was origi- 
nally brought to Europe from Turkey or Ethiopia, in long roundish 
masses of two or three pounds weight, wrapped up in palm leaves; 
but the Elemi of the shops is now chiefly imported from the warm 
provinces of America, and comes in large masses, enclosed in tin 
cases or mats : this variety is said to be softer than the Turkey. 
Sensible Qualities, &c. Elemi when unadulterated has a 
fragrant odour ; its taste is slightly bitter, somewhat aromatic and 
pungent. The masses are semi-transparent, of a pale yellow colour, 
somewhat brittle on the outside, tenaceous and soft within. When 
heated, it melts and boils, emiting the smell of frankincence ; in the 
flame of a candle it takes fire, and burns with a bright smoky flame, 
leaving a small portion of coal.' Sp; gr. 1.0182. Dibtilled with 
water it yields one-sixteenth of essential oil, nearly limpid, somewhat 
hot to the taste, and of a stronger odour than the elemi ; the^ remain- 
ing resin is scentless. Alcohol dissolves the greater part : the solu- 
tion is lemon colour; the residue is a white matter, soluble in water. 
According to tlje analysis of M. Bonastre, the components of 
American Elemi are, 60 parts transparent resin, soluble in alcohol at 
60°; 24 of a resinoid substancej soluble in boiling alcohol, and 
deposited on cooling, white, opaque, and incapable of forming a 
soap with caustic ley; 12.5 parts of volatile oil; 2 of bitter extrac- 
tive ; and 1.5 of acid and impurities. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Elemi is stimulant and^' 
aromatic, but is seldom or never prescribed internally. Formerly it 
was much used (when made into an ointment) as a mild digestive to 
ulcers; but the improved practice of surgery in the treatment of ^ 
ulcers, has superseded the use of this and similar applications. 
Ofl^. The Resin. 
Off. Pp. Unguentum Elemi Compositum, L.D. " 
