VATERIA INDICA. Linn.
V. Malabarica, Bl. Chloroxylon dupada, Ains.
Dupa mara, . . CAN. Payani, . . . MALEAL. Piney varnish tree, ENG. Hal-gass, . . . SINGH. Indian copal tree, . „ Piney maram, . . TAM.
1Thite dammer tree, „ Vellay, Kungilium, „ Gum-anime tree, . „ Dupada chettu, . TEL.
This large and stately tree grows to the height of about 60 feet. It has entire, smooth, coriaceous leaves, and terminable panicles of white flowers. The young shoots and all tender parts, except the leaves, are covered with fine stellate pubescence. It is common in the hotter parts of Ceylon, up to an elevation of 2000 feet ; it grows in Canara and all along the Malabar coast ; it is found also in :Mysore. Its wood weighs 26 lbs. to the cubic foot, and its timber is said to last ten years. In Ceylon, its timber is used for packing-cases, ceil ings, coffins, etc.; on the western coast of India, it is said to be an excellent building timber, not liable to be attacked by the teredo, and much employed in ship-building. The dupada resin is used as a fragrant incense in temples; the quantity procurable is very considerable. It is obtained by wounding the tree, and in commerce occurs either in small lumps or in large masses, generally of a shining appearance and balsamic 'smell. It has a very cellular structure, which is ateributable to the mode of _collection. Notches bein'g cut in the trunk of the tree sloping inirards andsdown wards, the resin collects in the cavity, and is either permitted to dry on the spot, or is collected and dried by the application of heat. It is all shades, from light-green to light-yellow or whit and is usually translucent. Specimens. are some
times seen, in which, from the desiccation having been improperly conducted, the resin is more opaque, of a dull-green colour, and full of .air bubbles, presenting the appearance of having undergone a partial fermentation. This resin may be recognised by its cellular appearance aud balsamic smell ; this latter, however (which is, of course, due to the volatile oil it contains), is gradu ally lost by long keeping or constant exposure to the air. What is called East Indian copal, and sold in England as gum-anime, exudes abundantly from this tree. Candles are made of this resin in Malabar, which Dr. Wight informs us diffuse in burning an agreeable fragrance, give a fine clear light with little smoke, and consume the wick without snuffing. These candles were at one time introduced into England, but a very high duty having been imposed, the trade ceased. A solid oil is prepared froin the seeds, and is called piney tallow or dupada oil, Piney yennai, TAM., which is used for lamps, but is very suitable for soaps and candle-making. The oil from the seeds becomes perfectly solid even iu hot climates, and is pre pared by cleaning the seed, then roasting. and grinding them into a mass. To 5 seers of seed add 12 seers of water, and boil until the oil rises to the surface. Remove the oil, stir the contents of the vessel, and allow it to. stand until the following day, when more oil will be observed on the surface, which may be collected and the pro cess repeated.—Thw. Enuni. Pl. Zeyl.; M. E. J. R. ; Roxb. Kw-. Indica ; Voigt.