Gum/Resin - Specimen details

Gum/Resin - Specimen details

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Catalogue Number: 61543

Plant Name 57.01 LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE Virgilia capensis Entry Book Number
Artefact Name Gum/Resin Vernacular Name
Iso Country South Africa TDWG Region South Africa
Parts Held Gum/Resin Geography Description South Africa
Uses Gum/ResinUse: MATERIALS User: Man TDWG use MATERIALS
Storage Bottles, boxes etc Related Items
Donor Donor No
Donor Date Donor Notes
Collector Collector No
Collection Notes Collection Date
Exhibition Expedition
Number Components Publication
Notes: Label source: It can be obtained in any quantity, and exudes very freely. One ounce of this gum forms with 12 ounces of water a mucilage of the same thickness and consistency as one ounce of real Gum Arabic with 2 ounces of water. Mr Schmieterloew has, kindly favoured me with the following qualitative analysis of this gum 'The gum of Virgilia capensis agrees with Cerasin (The gum of the cherry tree) more than with either Tragacanthin or Arabin, and contains no Bassorin. It is slowly soluble in cold,, but more readily in hot water. One ounce of this gum forms with 12 ounces of water a mucilage of same thickness and consistency as one ounce of real gum arabic with 2 ounces of water and of equal transparency. It shows less acidity than gum arabic; a, nd in its chemical characteristics differs from Arabin as follows; Arabin; Produces a copious precipitate with Oxalate of Ammonia, Diacetate of Lead produces a white caseaous precipitate, peroxide of Iron forms a brown jelly. Strong spirits of wine t, urn the micilage white, like curdled milk. Gum of Virgilia; Produces a faint milkiness with Oxalate of Ammonia, Diacetate of Lead gelatinizes the mucilage. It miscible with this, without any other effect. Does not throw down any caseous matter, and, without impairing its consistency, can be mixed with the half of its bulk, which seems to make the solution more clear. The gum could be used in medicine like gum Tragacanth, and for many purposes where other gums like gum arabic are applied.

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