AL′OES WOOD

Syn. Al′oe-wood ; Eaglewood ; Agal′lochum (-kŭm), Lig′num al′oës , L. agal′loch i , L. a. ve′′ri , L. aq′uilæ , L. aspal′at hi , L.; Agalloche , Bois d’aloès , Fr.; Aloeholz , Ger.; Calam′bac , Calam′bouc , Ind.; Xylo-al′oës †. A name applied to the wood of alöex′ylon agal′lochum (Lam.), a leguminous tree of Cochin China; and, though apparently le correctly, to that of aquila′′ria agallochum and a. ova′ta (Lour.), trees of tropical Asia, belonging to a different nat. order. Both are highly fragrant and aromatic; used in fumigations and pastilles, and occasionally by cabinet makers and inlayers. The e ential oil of the wood, di olved in spirit, was regarded by Hoffmann as one of the best cordials and invigorants known. The same has also been said of a tincture of its resin. The same name and synonyms are popularly applied to the resin of the above woods ( ALOES-WOOD RESIN ), of which there are two varieties:—the one, light and porous, and filled with a highly fragrant resinous substance; the other, denser and le resinous. It is an oily concretion in the centre of the tree, the result of disease, which gradually hardens, and, in time, kills it. It is highly fragrant, and is said to be nervine, cephalic, cardiac, and stimulant. The powder is regarded as tonic and astringent. Of all perfumes this is said to be the one most esteemed by oriental nations.