491 
Dammar. 
The dammars form a group of resins characterised by being 
largely soluble in spirits of wine or oil of turpentine and therefore 
suitable for the preparation of so-called “spirit varnishes” used 
mainly for indoor woodwork, paper, cloth, etc. They are obtained 
from species of Hopea, Shored, and Bcilanocarpus, mainly in the 
Federated Malay States as well as in Sumatra and other Dutch East 
Indian Islands. Small quantities of dammarlike resins are obtained 
in India, but so far as European commerce is concerned these are of 
no importance. The dammars are all collected from living trees. 
The Dutch East Indian resin is shipped chiefly from Batavia, whilst the 
product of the Federated Malay States reaches Europe via Singapore. 
The value of Singapore dammar in London at present is 25s. to 
6/s. per cwt., whilst that from Batavia is worth 65s. to 70s. per cwt. 
Dammar Resins from the Federated Malay States. 
These dammar resins, produced in the Federated Malay States, 
were forwarded to the Imperial Institute by the Conservator of Forests 
in 1905, with the request that information might be supplied as 
regards their suitability for varnish-making and their probable com- 
mercial values in this country. 
Description of Samples. 
No. I. (Dammar Penak, No. I quality, derived from Balanocarpus 
maximus or Wray/): -The sample weighed nearly one pound, and 
consisted oftears agglomerated into masses of light yellow transparent 
resin. It was brittle, readily reduced to powder, and appeared to be 
quite free from any foreign matter. It was partly soluble in alcohol, 
completely so in ether, and almost entirely soluble in turpentine, 
forming a slightly opalescent solution, which when applied to sized 
wood, dried to a brilliant, transparent, hard, and almost colourless 
“ coat.” 
No. 2. (Dammar Kumus, from a Shorea sp., rather like Shored 
glauca, probably 5 . ciliata Ed).— The sample weighed about four ounces, 
and consisted of two small masses of reddish-brown resin, which was 
translucent in thin pieces. It was partially soluble in alcohol, and 
almost completely soluble in ether. The solution in oil of turpentine 
was dark coloured, and when applied to sized wood left a fairly hard, 
brownish “coat” which was not very glossy. 
No. 3. (Dammar Mata Kuching, Port Dickson;.—*! his sample 
weighed about 1.5 ounces, and consisted of small, roughly ovoid, 
slightly yellow transparent tears of resin. It was hard, and free from 
foreign matter, and dissolved partially in alcohol and completely in 
ether. The solution in oil of turpentine was clear, and when applied 
to sized wood left a hard, brilliant, nearly colourless “coat.” 
