BDELLIUM

a kind of aromatic gum, which is found in different countries, but is lnx>ught chiefly from Arabia and India. It resembles myrrh in its appearance, and partially also in its effects, and is hence often fraudulently substituted for it. It is also intermixed with gum-arabic. It occurs in oblong or angular pieces, sometimes as large as a walnut, and of a yellow, red, or brown colour. It has a sweet smell but bitter taste, softens readily between the liu<rers before the fire, and di olves partially in alcoliol, and still more in water. It was formerly used in many compounds and plaaten. but U now confined to vetermary medicine. The bdellium mentioned in Gen. ii was apparently a mineral substance entirely ^iifferent from tiie gum.