gum sandarac
A brittle resin obtained from the African sandarac
tree, Tetraclinis articulata, in the form of
yellowish, faintly aromatic, opaque tears and
broken cylindrical pieces. It is soluble in
alcohol. It is used in the manufacture of spirit
varnishes, and, when dissolved in oil, to make
cooked varnishes. It is also used in powdered form
to clean vellum and to prepare it for writing
purposes. Its most outstanding property is its
hardness. Also called "gum juniper." See also: POUNCE (1) ; PUMICE . (233 )
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