262 
# 
Description of Sample. 
The sample, which weighed 14 oz., consisted of a singly, 
roughly-ovoid lump of brown resin, which had the characteristic 
odour of benzoin. 
Chemical Examination. 
Chemical examination established the identity of the resin 
with benzoin and showed that it most resembled the variety of 
this product known commercially as Palembang benzoin. It 
contained 1.61 per cent, of moisture, 0.41 per cent, of ash, and 
91.48 per cent, of resin soluble in alcohol. 
Conclusions. 
Material represented by the present sample could be used 
instead of Palembang benzoin for all purposes to which the latter 
is applied. 
The benzoins official in the British Pharmacopoeia are the 
Siam and Sumatra varieties, which are derived from sty rax benzoin. 
The application of the Palembang and other varieties is therefore 
limited to the preparation of incense and the manufacture of 
benzoic acid, the latter being the more important use. 
The commercial value of this benzoin from the Federated 
Malay States would be about the same as that of Palembang 
benzoin. The latter was quoted in London on February 
24, 1906, at £2 8s. to £2 xos. per cwt. for ordinary quality, 
whilst a consignment of good quality was sold at £3 8s. per cwt. 
on the 2nd March last. The present sample w'ould probably sell 
as ordinary quality. 
If these prices wall render the collection of the resin 
remunerative, the Imperial Institute will be glad to assist in 
finding a market for the product. 
(Sd.) WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN. 
April 24, 1906. 
Note on the Above. 
The plant which produced the Benzoin above described is 
probably Styrax Benzoin w r hich is abundunt in Kuala Lumpur as 
in other parts of the Peninsula. It is a big tree with bright 
green leaves backed with white, and panicles of very fragrant 
white flowers. As it often flow r ers when quite small, 12 to 15 feet 
tall, it is quite worthy of cultivation for its beauty and fragrance. 
Benzoin is known here as Kemeniyan, but seems rarely to be 
collected in the Peninsula. To obtain it the bark, which has no 
odour of the incense, is cut about wdth a parang or knife, and 
after about a fortnight the exuded resin is collected. It does not 
