Guaiacum

(gwai'ya-kum.) (Bot.) A gen. of plants, O. Zygophyllaceæ, consisting of W. Indian and S. American trees, noted for the resin which they secrete, and the extreme hardne of their wood. G. of ficin ale is an ornamental tree with pretty blue flowers. Its trunk yields the greenish-brown hard heavy wood, called by turners lignum vitæ, which is used for blocks and pulleys, rulers, skittle-balls, and other purposes where hardne is required and weight is Fig. 368.- GUAIACUM OF FICIN ALE. not an objection. The resin, commonly called gum G., exudes from the stem, and is also obtained by jagging or notching the stem and allowing the exuding juice to harden. [s. 428]