2. Socotran.—The dragon's-blood of Socotra, well known in ancient medicine, is obtaiued from Draccena Ombet, or possibly D. schizantha, a mushroom-like tree of 20 ft., growing only at an eleva tion of about 1500 ft. To obtain the resin, called eda by the natives, about 4 sq. in. of bark is rernoved, and the cavity thus forrned becomes filled with the exudation in 2-3 weeks. The collec tion takes place in March. The product is sent from Muscat and Aden to Bombay, where it is used by the goldsmiths.
A closely similar, if not ideutical, article is produced by D. schizantha, a 25-ft. tree growing in the Somali cauntry at 2500-5500 ft., and there called mob'. It is said not to be exported, but either this or the foregoing kind occasionally appears in the London market in small parcels from Bombay and Zanzibar, bearing the name of " drop " dragon's-blood. It is in little tears and fragments. of clean glassy fracture, and transparent and ruby-coloured in thin sections. It is free from fruit scales, and evolves no benzoic acid on heating.
3. Canary Islands'.—The dragon's-blood of the Canary Islands is obtained flop]. Draccena Draco, by malting incisions in the stem. This resin is found in the sepulchral eaves of the Guanches, and is supposed to have been used by them for embalming. It formed at one time a considerable article of export from the Canaries, and has not quite fallen into disuee, though it is never met with in ordivary commerce.
4. Mexican.—Croton Draco, of Mexico, yields a resin used in varnish-making, which occasionally passes by the name of dragon's-blood.
The approximate London market value of dragon's-blood is 4-51. a cwt. for lump, and 10-121. for fine reed.
Elemi (Fn., E/Kati ; Flemi).—The term " elemi " is applied to a number of resinons exudations (some confounded with animi), the chief of which is obtained from the Philippine Islands. The description of this will be followed by some account of (2) 'Mexican, (3) Brazilian, (4) Mauritius. (5) E. African, (6) W. African, and (7) W. Indian elcmis.
I. Philippi3O.—The oleo-resin known as Manilla or E. Indian elemi has long been attributed to Couteiuct commune; this has recently been deubted by competcnt authorities, who are rather inclined to consider the plant a Burs'ra. It forms a tree, growing in the province of Batangas, in the island of Luzon, where it is called abilo by the natives, and arty)! a brea C• pitch-tree") by the Spaniards, from the. use of the resin for making torches. Tbe resin as imported is of grannlar
consistence resembling old honey, and colourless when fresh and pure, but more usually contami nated with chips and carbonaceous matter, rendering it grey or blackish. It hardens and becomes yellow on exposure. It has a strong odour of fennel, lemon, and turpentine. It softens at 80° ( 176° F.), and fuses to a clear resin at 120° (248° F.). It is adopted by the British Pharmaeopmia, and is imported in large quantities from Manilla. It is used principally in the manufacture of varnishes; also in felting and in medicine.
2. Mexican.—Mexican or Vera Cruz clemi is produced by Amyris elemifera[Plumieri], growing in Mexico and Yucatan. It is a light-yellow to whitish brittle resin, in semi-cylindrical or irregular fragments, translucent to dull and opaque. It has an agreeable odour of turpentine, and is readily masticated. It was met with in London commerce 30 years since, but is unknown now.
3. Brazilian.—This heading embraces the products of several species of L-ica, as I. [Protium] Icicariba, hetcrophylla, L heptaphylla, T. guianensis, L altissima, L Caranna. viridiftora, growing in Brazil, Guiana, and New Granada (Colombia). The so-called "balsams" obtained spontaneously from their trunks are highly odoriferous, and commonly used as incense in S. America. Tbis is particularly the case with that of I. heptaphylla, called liyawa gum or coal= resin in Guiana, and whose timber is known as " incense-wood " ; and with that of L heterophylla, termed " balsam of Acouchi." L Caranna is named as thc source of " caranna " resin, used medicinally by the Indians of Central America ; but Hanbury attributes at least one kind of so-called caranna, c,arapte, or caraita gum or resin to Bursera acumiaata. These exudations remain fluid for a considerable time, but ultimately harden. They are strangers to European commerce.
4. Kturiti,s.—Mauritius elemi is produced by Colophonia mauritiana, and bears a close general resemblance to the Philippine article, with which it is perhaps identical.