The New Student's Reference Work/Myrrh

Myrrh (mẽr), a gum-resin produced by a tree growing in Arabia and in Somaliland, Africa.  The myrrh tree is small and scrubby, spiny, with whitish-gray bark, with smooth, brown fruit about as big as a pea.  The myrrh flows from the pores of the bark in oily, yellowish drops, which slowly thicken, harden and become darker colored.  Myrrh was known and highly valued in very early times.  It was among the presents which the wise men from the east brought to the Christ-child.  Myrrh is sold in tears and grains or in irregular-shaped and various-sized pieces, yellow, red or reddish brown in color.  It was used by the Egyptians in embalming, and is employed now in medicine.  All myrrh comes from Aden or from Bombay.