in materia medica, a concrete resinous juice, obtained from a species of laurus*. The resin is brought from the East Indies in large masses, composed of white and light-brown pieces, with yellowish specks; it easily breaks betwixt the hands. That which is whitest is most esteemed. It has very little taste; but its smell is very fragrant and agreeable, especially when heated. The principal use of benzoin is in perfumes, and as a cosmetic; and enters in substance only into one officinal composition, the balsamum tranmatium. Its flowers, which is a white saline concrete obtained by committing it to the fire in proper vessels, are recommended in disorders of the breast†.