PII A EM A COG NOS Y. 
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MASTICHE (Mastic). 
The dried resinous exudation from Pistacia Lenliscus 
(Fam. Anacardiaeese), a large shrub indigenous to the 
Mediterranean region. The resin exudes through 
incisions made in the bark, and when dry is collected. 
The chief source of supply is the island of Scio. 
Description. — Somewhat globular or ovoid tears 3 
to 7 mm. long, pale yellow or greenish yellow, translu- 
cent, having a glass-like luster, sometimes covered 
with a whitish dust; brittle; fracture conchoidal, 
becoming plastic when chewed; odor slight, balsamic; 
taste mild, terebintliinate. 
Mastic is completely soluble in ether and almost 
completely soluble in alcohol ; the acid number should 
not be less than 65. 
Constituents. — Resin about 90 per cent. ; volatile 
oil 2 to 3 per cent. 
Allied Plants. — Various other species of Pistacia 
found in India and Northern Africa yield resins 
resembling mastic. 
GALLA (Nut gall). 
An abnormal development on the young twigs of 
Quercus injectoria (Fam. Cupulifene), caused by the 
deposited ova of a Hymenopterous insect, Cynips tinc- 
toria. Nutgalls are collected before the maturing of 
the insect, and are obtained principally from Aleppo, 
in Asiatic Turkey. 
Description. — Aleppo Galls. — Somewhat spherical, 1 
to 2 cm. in diameter; externally grayish brown or 
dark grayish green, more or less tuberculate above, 
the basal portion nearly smooth, and contracted into a 
short stalk, sometimes with a perforation on one side; 
heavy ; fracture horny ; internally yellowish or dark 
brown, consisting of a central portion which con- 
