32 
RESINS. 
Pistacia Lentiscus , L., of the Mediterranean region, is the source 
of Mastic, a very valuable resin, used in medicine, varnishes, and 
liqueurs ; obtained by tapping the trees, and exported chiefly from 
Chios. 
Schirms terebinthifolius , Raddi, introduced at Peradeniya in 1884, is 
the source of W. Indian Mastic (cf. Pistacia). 
Schleichera trijuga , Willd. (Kon, S. ; Puvu, Kula, T. ; Fl. Cey., I., 
304), common to 2,000 feet, and Indo-Malayan, is said to yield a 
yellow resin. 
Semecarpus Anacardium , L. f., the Ink Nut or Marking Nut of 
Indo-Malaya, introduced at Peradeniya ; and S. Gardneri , Thw. 
(Badulla, S. ; Fl. Cey., I., 323), common to 3,000 feet in wet zone, yield 
acrid black resins, which might perhaps afford the basis of black 
varnishes. 
Shorea robusta , Roxb., the Sal of India, introduced *at Peradeniya in 
1880, yields large quantities of aromatic resin when tapped. Formerly 
much destroyed in India for the sake of its resin, now conserved, as 
its timber is very valuable. Ceylon has several species of S. (FI. Cey., 
I., 116), not recorded as producing resins, but they should be 
tested. 
Styrax Benzoin , Dryand., Malayan, introduced at Peradeniya in 
1881, cultivated on the edges of fields in Sumatra, Singapore, &e., is. 
the source of Benzoin or Gum Benjamin, an aromatic resin used in 
perfumery, varnish, and medicine. The tree yields at seven years old, 
by tapping, at the rate of about 3 lb. a year ; the resin is packed into 
cubes while soft and exported ; its market value is about £6 to £8 per 
cwt. 
Toluifera Balsamum , L. (Balsam of Tolu, introduced at Pera¬ 
deniya in 1870), and T. Perdrai , Baill. (Balsam of Peru, 1861), S. 
American trees, yield valuable medicinal and perfumery balsams by 
tapping. 
Trachylobium verrucosnm , Oliv., of Tropical Africa, &c., introduced 
at Peradeniya, is the source of a copal (see above). 
Vateria acuminata, Hayne (Hal, S. ; Fl. Cey., I., 131), common to 
2,000 feet in wet zone, endemic, yields a clear yellowish resin on tap¬ 
ping, of very good quality, occasionally exported as a dammar (g. v.). 
It makes a good varnish with the local Dorana-tel (see Diptero- 
carpus), and probably would make excellent varnishes in the ordinary 
solvents. 
Vatica obscura , Trim. (Fl. Cey., I., 129), rare in dry zone, endemic, 
yields an odorous sticky gum-resin (Trimen). V. Boxburghiana, Bl. 
(Mendora, S. ; Swamp Mendora, l. c., 128), frequent in wet low-coun¬ 
try, and in W. India, gives a transparent yellow resin. 
