mastic, mastich, mastick, mastache, mastiche

& a. [Fr. mastic, from Latin mastiche; Gr. mastiche =the gum of the tree Schinos, from mastazō, from masaomai = to chew; mastax = the mouth; Port. mastique; Dut. mastik; German mastix.] IMG:content-0981.png:[blocks in formation] II. Technically: 1. Botany: (1) ( Of all the forms): [MASTIC-TREE.] Barbary Mastic is Pistacia atlantic a , Mastic of Chios, P. lentisc us , North Indian, Bursera gummi fer a, and Peruvian Mastic, Schinus molle. (2) ( Of the form mastich, mastick): Thymus mas tichina . (3) ( Of the form mastic): Major an a cra i folia . 2. Chem . The resin of Pistacia lentisc us , occurring in small rounded translucent grains or tears, which soften when masticated, giving out a slightly bitter, aromatic taste. It is soluble in rectified spirit and oil of turpentine, and is used in fumigations and in the manufacture of varnishes. Its specific gravity=1074, and its composition, according IMG:content-0982.png:[blocks in formation] 1. Pistacia lentisc us , an an a card growing in the Levant, the north of Africa, and the south of Europe, especially in the Isle of Chios. [MASTIC, 1.] It has evergreen paripinnate leaves, with winged petioles. It is about fifteen or twenty feet high. Transverse incisions are made, in dry weather, in August and September, in the bark of the tree, from which the mastic exudes in drops, which are suffered to run down to the ground, and when concreted are collected for use. 2. Pistacia atlantic a , growing in Barbary; it yields Barbary Mastic.