ON  A  NEW  SOURCE  OF  KINO. 
241 
consequently  the  precipitate  forms  with  the  water  a  somewhat 
firmer  pulp. 
This  kino  dissolves,  with  only  a  trace  of  flaky  residue,  in  rec- 
tified spirit,  which  forms  an  intense  cherry-red  tincture  of  very 
pure  astringent  taste.  The  quantity  in  my  possession  is  scarcely 
sufficient  to  allow  of  a  fuller  examination  of  its  chemical  proper- 
ties and  composition.  But  its  physical  characters,  the  action  of 
water,  and  the  properties  of  the  watery  solution,  even  as  I  have 
shortly  indicated  them,  are  enough  to  prove  that  the  Moulmein 
kino  is  identical  in  nature  with  the  present  kino  of  home  trade, 
and  in  point  of  quality  somewhat  superior.  I  have  no  doubt, 
from  its  taste,  and  the  action  of  the  iron  test,  that  an  analysis 
will  prove  the  presence  of  a  larger  proportion  of  tannin. 
It  does  not  absolutely  follow,  even  from  the  exact  corres- 
pondences now  mentioned,  that  the  Moulmein  kino  is  derived 
from  the  same  botanical  source  with  the  present  officinal  kino  of 
Europe.  The  officinal  sort  has  been  accurately  referred  by  the 
separate  researches  of  Dr.  Gibson,  Dr.  Pereira,  and  Dr.  Royle, 
to  the  Pterocarpus  Marsupium  of  Roxburgh,  a  fine  forest  tree 
abounding  in  the  hills  of  Mysore  and  other  parts  of  the  Indian 
Peninsula.  But  the  Butea  frondom  also  yields  a  fine  kino, 
which  I  have  shown  in  my  Dispensatory  to  be  scarcely  distin- 
guishable in  chemical  properties  from  the  officinal  kind. 
Mr.  Begbie,  however,  has  fortunately  supplied  me  with  a  de- 
scription of  the  Moulmein  tree,  sufficient  to  identify  it  with  the 
true  kino  tree  of  Mysore.  "  It  is,"  says  he,  "  one  of  the  com- 
monest trees  in  the  adjoining  provinces,  and  is  called  by  the 
Burmese  Padouk.  It  grows  to  a  great  size  and  height.  Imme- 
diately before  the  rainy  season  it  is  covered  with  long  pendant 
yellow  flowers,  of  an  exceedingly  sweet  odor,  like  that  of  jessa- 
mine. The  tree  flowers  three  times,  at  intervals  of  perhaps  a 
week  or  ten  days ;  each  blow  lasting  about  twenty-four  hours. 
The  wood  is  in  color  like  mahogany,  and  exceedingly  heavy.  It 
is  used  in  India  for  making  gun  carriages  ;  and  at  present  we 
are  preparing  some  for  the  London  market,  in  execution  of  an 
order,  I  fancy,  for  the  Royal  Artillery.  It  makes  most  beauti- 
ful furniture.  The  gum  exudes  slightly  without  incision  ;  but  on 
a  cut  being  made  into  the  tree,  it  bleeds  most  freely."  This  de- 
scription is  not  sufficiently  botanical  to  enable  me  to  determine 
18 
