Rosin

The action of the bow therefore depends almost entirely upon the application of rosin and upon its frictional properties. Violin rosin is a natural gum obtained from conifers such as larch that produce turpentine.

‘It is delicate,’ said Pansa, ‘but there is perhaps the least particle too much of rosin in its flavor.’

From three o'clock onward they would be burning rosin and pitch pine (the sign of preparation), and so one had the picturesque spectacle of a rank, some two or three miles long, of tall, ascending columns of coal-black smoke; […]

A thick, fat smoke oozed out from the fire, and a heavy smell of burned rosin and singed hair filled the air.

We waited expectantly as the guest violinist rosined his bow in preparation for playing.

The devil opened up his case and he said, "I'll start this show." And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow.