Gutta-percha is an invaluable substance lately added to the list of known vegetable productions. It is obtained by cutting the bark of trees of the class called Sapotacea. Its proper name is gutta Pulo Percha, gutta meaning gum, and Pulo Percha is the island whence it is obtained. But gutta-percha is not, strictly speaking, a gum.
India-rubber is also a vegetable secretion, improperly called elastic gum. It is obtained from the milky juice of various trees and plants, especially from the syringe tree, of Cayenne.
1255. What are vegetable resins?
Vegetable resins are derived from the secretions of plants, and are generally distinguished from gums by being insoluble in water, but being soluble in spirits.
When one of these substances is soluble in either water or spirits it is called a gum-resin.
1256. What are vegetable acids?
Vegetable acids are chiefly obtained from fruit; but also abundantly from wood, by distillation.
"Thou art the God that doest wonders."—Psalm lxxvii.