_Euphorbium._—_Furbiune_ is the Arabic name of this gum, which is produced by a very curious succulent plant, growing on the Atlas mountains, and called by the Shelluhs and Arabs, _Dergmuse_;[119] in its general form, it resembles a large goblet (see the Plate), and is somewhat like a wild thistle. From the main body of the plant proceed several solid leafless branches, about three inches in circumference, and one in diameter, from the top of which shoot out similar ones, each bearing on its summit a vivid crimson flower; these branches are scolloped, and have on their outer sides small knots, from which grow five extremely sharp pointed thorns, about one-third of an inch in length.[120] The stalk is at first soft and succulent, but becomes hard in a few years, when the plant assumes the above mentioned form, and may then be considered at its maturity; if cut in this state with a sword, it emits a large quantity of corrosive, lacteous juice, which, if squeezed between the fingers, will excoriate; when old, the plant withers, and this juice becomes dry, and turns to powder. The inhabitants of those parts of the lower regions of Atlas make incisions in the branches of the plants with a knife, whence the juice issues, which, after being heated by the sun, becomes a substance of a whitish yellow colour, and in the month of September drops off, and forms the gum Euphorbium. The plants produce abundantly once only in four years, but this fourth year’s produce is more than all Europe can consume; it being a very powerful cathartic. The people who collect the gum, are obliged to tie a cloth over their mouth and nostrils, to prevent the small dusty particles from annoying them, as they produce incessant sneezing. [Illustration:_Plate 6._ _(Dergmuse) Gum Euphorbium Plant._ _Drawn by J. G. Jackson._ _Engraved J. C. Stadler._ _London Published June 4. 1811. by G. & W. Nicholl Pall Mall._] The branches of the plant are brought to Mogodor, for the use of the tanners, by the boats which go from thence to Agadeer (where it abounds), and to it probably the Marocco leather owes its reputed pre-eminence. It is also in great request among the women, as a _depilatory_. Though the plant abounds at Agadeer, yet, either from the nature of the soil, or the climate not being sufficiently hot, it is stunted, and never comes to perfection. During the three years I resided there, I never saw any gum attached to it. It flourishes in stony mountainous situations, interspersed with rocks, whose interstices are filled with a black loam of decomposed vegetable earth.