Elemi, a resinous exudation from a number of trees in different parts of the world. Coming from so many sources, the substance known in common is by no means of uniform character, and the trees which afford the gum are very little understood. That from Holland is supposed to be from the Dutch East India possessions, and the product of the canarium bal-samiferum of Ceylon. The Manila article is believed to be the product of the canarium commune; that of C. album or arbolabrea is used in the Philippine islands for pitching boats and vessels. The Brazilian elemi is from the icica icicariba; the icica is a genus separated from amyris, to which the elemi is commonly referred. The Mexican is said by Dr. Royle to be from a species of the elaphri-um, which he names elemifervm. The resin is imported in various shapes, and in different colors and degrees of consistency. It was formerly much employed in plasters and ointments, but is more used in Europe than in this country. Hatters make use of it, and it is in some demand for varnishes by coach painters. It is one of the ingredients of pastilles burned as incense.

It has been resolved into two resins, one amorphous and one crystallizable; for the latter the name elemine has been proposed by its discoverer, M. Baup. In its medicinal properties it resembles the oil of turpentine.