GUMS. 
17 
is slightly soluble in water. Gum tragacanth consists 
almost entirely of it, and it also occurs in large quantity in 
Cocoanut and Moringa gums. Lastly, the gum of Çochlo- 
spermum Gossypium consists of a mixture of cerasin and 
bassorin. Gums, are used in the arts for adhesive purposes, 
in calico printing, in sizing, and in confectionery and 
pharmacy. Large quantities are imported into Great 
Britain, including over 3,000 tons of gum arabic per annum. 
Ceylon imports a considerable quantity from India and 
elsewhere. In 1899 about 70 cwt., valued at Rs. 764, were 
imported from India, Hongkong, Australia, &c. There is 
rarely any export of gum. The south and south-west of the 
Island contain few useful sources of gum, and the climate is 
too wet for the accumulation of any large exudations, but in 
the north there are several gum-yielding trees and a drier 
climate. It should be possible to obtain enough gum locally 
to prevent the need of importing any but small quantities of 
special kinds. 
The market value of gums is small. Good gums of the 
gum arabic type are worth from £1 to £5 per cwt. Gum 
tragacanth is worth from £4 to £12 per cwt. Probably 
few, if any, of the Ceylon gums are worth more than £1 to 
£2 per cwt. We have seen above that the chemical 
constitution is simple, and what is wanted in a gum is that it 
shall be a pretty pure arabin or bassorin, like gum arabic 
or gum tragacanth. Most of our gums could merely be 
marketed as inferior gum arabics or tragacanths. The only 
fairly good kinds known among our local gums are those of 
the Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), the Elephant Apple 
(Feronia Elephantum), Odina Wodier, Anogeissus latifolia, 
and Margosa (Azadirachta indica). It is difficult to dispose 
of gums of inferior quality. A gum to be marketable should 
be a good gum of its class, whether arabic, tragacanth, or 
cherry. What is wanted in the greater proportion of the uses 
of gum is that the gum shall dissolve freely in cold water to 
form a smooth homogeneous and pale-coloured mucilage. 
D 
[May, 1902.] 
