TRAGACANTH

a gum, white or of red tint, obtained from numerous varieties of the Asiatic tragacanth plant. When soaked in water it swells to a thick mucilage resembling flour paste, and as such is employed in pharmacy (as an emollient for toilet creams, etc.), the textile industry, etc., and to make gum paste ornaments for cakes, being for the last-named purpose mixed with starch and sugar.