COMPOSITION OF GAMBOGE. 
135 
ment I am indebted to Mr. Stead, an extensive and experienced 
wholesale druggist in London." 
Dr. Christison states that there is no gamboge exported from 
Ceylon to Europe ; but is it not possible, as it is common 
about Madras, according to the evidence of Drs. Ainslie and 
Wight, that it may be imported by another channel ? 
Dr. Christison has ascertained that gamboge is also produced 
in the Island of Borneo, on the authority of Mr. James B. 
Allan. The author proceeds with the results of his examina- 
tion of the various kinds of gamboge, which were selected 
with great care by competent judges. We make the following 
extracts, by permission: 
" 1. Pipe Gamboge is so termed in the nomenclature of the 
drug-market, from its peculiar form. It occurs chiefly in 
cylindrical masses, from three-quarters of an inch to nearly 
three inches in diameter, commonly hollow, and often doubled 
upon themselves, and cohering. Not unfrequently several 
of these pipes or cylinders are firmly accreted into irregularly- 
shaped cakes or balls, two or three pounds in weight ; in 
which, however, the remains of the cavities may be traced, 
though much flattened. The surface of the unaccreted cylin- 
ders is dirty greenish-yellow, and striated — evidently from 
the impression of the reed-moulds into which it is run when 
soft. Where several cylinders have been joined together, 
and squeezed into a cake or ball, the mass is usually wrapped 
in large leaves, which appear to belong to a malvaceous or 
bombaceous plant. Pipe gamboge is very brittle, and presents 
a somewhat conchoidal fracture, the surface of which is smooth, 
brownish-yellow in tint, and glimmering in lustre. It becomes 
bright gamboge-yellow wherever it is frayed or rubbed, and 
very readily forms an emulsion or paste of the same hue when 
rubbed with the wet finger. It has scarcely any taste ; but 
after a short time produces a sensation of acridity, especially 
in the back of the throat. Neither has it any smell; yet the 
fine dust, raised in pulverizing it, quickly irritates the nostrils, 
