part 21

(1877).

RUBIACEÆ.

GAMBIER.

_Catechu pallidum_, _Extractum Uncariæ_; _Gambier_, _Pale Catechu_, _Gambier Catechu_, _Terra Japonica_; F. _Gambir_, _Cachou jaune_; G. _Gambir_.

=Botanical Origin=—1. _Uncaria Gambier_ Roxb. (_Nauclea Gambir_ Hunter) a stout climbing shrub, supporting itself by means of its flower-stalks which are developed into strong recurved hooks.[1275] It is a native of the countries bordering the Straits of Malacca, and especially of the numerous islands at their eastern end; but according to Crawfurd[1276] it does not seem indigenous to any of the islands of the volcanic band. It also grows in Ceylon, where however no use is made of it.

2. _U. acida_ Roxb.,[1277] probably a mere variety of the preceding, and growing in the Malayan islands, appears to be used in exactly the same manner.

=History=—Gambier is one of the substances to which the name of _Catechu_ or _Terra Japonica_ is often applied; the other is _Cutch_, which has been already described (p. 243). By druggists and pharmaceutists the two articles are frequently confounded, but in the great world of commerce they are reckoned as quite distinct. In many price-currents and trade-lists, _Catechu_ is not found under that name, but only appears under the terms _Cutch_ and _Gambier_.

Crawfurd asserts that gambier has been exported from time immemorial to Java from the Malacca Straits. This statement appears highly questionable. Rumphius, who resided in Amboyna during the second half of the 17th century, was a merchant, consul and naturalist; and in these capacities became thoroughly conversant with the products of the Malay Archipelago and adjacent regions, as the six folio volumes of his _Herbarium Amboinense_, illustrated by 587 plates, amply prove.

Among other plants, he figures[1278] _Uncaria Gambier_, which he terms _Funis uncatus_, and states to exist under two varieties, the one with broad, and the other with narrow leaves. The first form, he says, is called in Malay _Daun Gatta Gambir_, on account of the bitter taste of its leaves, which is perceptible in the lozenges (_trochisci_) called _Gatta Gambir_, so much so that one might suppose they were made from these leaves, which however is not the case. He further asserts that the leaves have a detergent, drying quality by reason of their bitterness, which is nevertheless not intense but quite bearable in the mouth: that they are masticated instead of _Pinang_ [Betel-nut] with _Siri_ [leaf of _Piper Betle_] and lime: that the people of Java and Bali plant the first variety near their houses for the sake of its fragrant flowers; but though they chew its leaves instead of _Pinang_, it must not be supposed that it is this plant from which the lozenges _Gatta_ are compounded, for that indeed is quite different.

[1275] Fig. in Bentley and Trimen, _Med. Plants_,