66 
medicine, but its chief interest is purely scientific. Besides a pure resin, the exudation 
contains several per cent, of Arabin (gum), and Araucaria is the only coniferous 
genus in which Arabin has hitherto been found in any quantity. 
In my paper* I announced that the exudation of this species was a gum- 
resin. I also stated, “ The only previous instance I can find of arabin being found 
in a coniferous resin is by Bulk (Morel, [3] ix, 714), who found 0 - l per cent, in 
White Dammar ( Dammar a orientalis, Lamb.). 
In 1893 I received from a Queensland correspondent an extract from 
“ Proces-Verbaux ” of the “Actes de la Societe Scientifique du Chili, Sesion 
jeneral del 4 de abril de 1892, Tome ii, 1 ere livraison, 1892.” The extract was in 
Spanish, and not understanding that language I applied to the Consul-General for 
Chili in Sydney (Captain W. H. Eldred), who through ill-health was unable to furnish 
me with the translation until 2nd June, 1894. I then ascertained that Prof. E. 
Meckel, of Marseilles, had announced the discovery of a gum in the exudation of the 
Australian Araucaria Bidwilli and in that of the Chilian A. imbricata. 
I then wrote to Prof. Heckel under date 19th June, 1894, asking for further 
particulars, and he very kindly sent me a copy of his paper,! published 20tli 
August, 1891, on A. Bidwilli , and which paper showed that arabin was present to 
the extent of nearly 70 per cent, in the exudation of that species, and to a less 
extent in the exudations of A. Cunninghamii and A. Coo/cii. 
Further correspondence elicited the fact, that MM. Heckel and Schlagden- 
hauffen had in August, 1887,! announced the discovery of arabin in the exuda¬ 
tion of Araucaria. The matter stands thus, that Bulk, in 1878, made the original 
discovery, while Heckel and Schlagdenhauffen in 1887, and Maiden in 1889, made 
similar observations independently. 
Mr. W. Bauerlen, botanical collector, wrote to me as follows concerning the 
collection of the resin (gum-resin) of Araucaria Cunninghamii on the Bichmond 
River. 
The resin of this Pine exudes plentifully, and when fresh it is much of the consistency and colour 
of cream, sometimes rather thinner. It seems that it takes a considerable time to harden, when it becomes 
somewhat clear and yellow-looking. 
I am told that the Pine has another resin, the existence of which is not generally known, and the 
resin has to be looked for under the hark, where it collects in hard, dark lumps, which in appearance are 
certainly quite different from the usual resin, though both substances may after all be the same. Mr. 
James Black, of Bexhill, told me about the occurrence of this resin and showed me two pieces, one of 
which, on asking for it, he presented to me ; strange to say, several people of whom I made inquiries 
respecting it, knew nothing of this hard, dark resin. I shall of course follow the matter up and endeavour 
to find the resin in its natural state. 
* “Notes on the Resins of two Queensland species of Araucaria,” Proc. Roy. Soc. Qd., yii. Part i, 1889. A. Bidwilli 
and A. Cunninghamii. 
t “ Sur le Bunya-Bunya ( Araucaria Bidwilli, Hook.), son utility et son acclimatation en AlgtSrie et dans nos 
colonies Francaises.” Rerue de s Sciences Nal. .appliquees, No. 16, 20th Aug., 1891. 
t “Sur la secretion des Araucaria.” Note presentee par M, A. Chatin. Corny tes Rendus (Botauique), Tome 105, 
Juillet-Dec. 1887, p. 359. . 
