LIQUIDAMBAR.
Mia-sailah, . . . ARAB. I Liquid storax, . . ENG. Nan-tu-yok, Tu-yok,Bunsr. I Rasamalay, . DIALar.
The name is derived from Liquidum, fluid, and Ambar, the Arabic name of amber. The liquidambar of commerce is a product of three plants. L. styraciflua, a large, fine tree, is the species found in Mexico and the United States, in the latter of which it is called sweet gum, and the fragrant liquid exudes, though not copiously, from inci sions in the stein. this is called liquidambar, oil of amber, and copalin balsam, and in this form has a pleasant balsamic odour, and an aromatic bitter taste. This becoming dry, forms what is called soft or white liquidambar, which resembles very thick turpentine, has a feebler odour than the liquid balsam, and contains less volatile oil, but more benzoic acid. L. orientale is a native of Cyprus, where it is called Nylon Effendi (the wood of our Lord); it produces an excellent white turpentine, especially by incisions in the bark.
It is also said to be produced on the island of Cabross, at the upper end of the Red Sea, near Cadess, which is three days' journey from Suez. The product of the L. altingia is said to be mixed with the substance obtained by boiling the branches of Styrax officinale, or acting upon them with oil, spirit, or naphtha. The subject is interesting as connected with ancient commerce, inasmuch as old writers mention a liquid with the solid storax, the mia-sailah and mia-yahseh of the Arabs. L. cerasifolia of Wallich (Sedgwickia cerasifolia of Griffiths) grows in Assam, but it is not known if it yields any balsam.
All these balsams are obtained either by spon taneous exudation, by incision into the bark, or decoction of the bark, leaves, and branches.— Eng. Cyc.; O'Sh.; Dr. Mason in Deng. As. Soc. Jour., 1848; Llogg, Veg. King.