95 
The balsam. of Quinquino is procured by incision at the be- 
ginning of spring, when the showers are gentle, frequent, and 
short ; it is collected in bottles, where it keeps liquid for some 
years, in which state it is called White Liquid Balsam. But 
when the Indians deposit this liquid in mats or calibashes, which 
is commonly done in Carthagena, and in the mountains of Tolu, 
after some time it condenses and hardens into resin, and is then 
denominated Dry White Balsam, or Balsam of Tolu, by apa 
name it is known in the druggists’ shops. 
It is generally believed, and M. Valmont de Bomare says in 
his Dictionary of Natural History, that if an extract be made 
from the bark by boiling it in water, it remains liquid and of 
a blackish colour, known under the name of Black Peruvian 
Balsam. There is no difference in these three balsams, except- 
ng in the name, colour, and consistence. : 
The wood of the Quinquino is extremely compact, heavy, 
Bi durable, but on account of its uneven grain is difficult to 
fashion into any shape; it lasts for many years without being 
injured, and is never exposed to the attack of worms; it even 
remains sound for a long time when placed in wet situations, nor 
does it erack when exposed to the sun; wherefore the Indians 
make use of the trunks for beams and stanchions. 
A species of sparrow called Poccochycnys, Kenychis, and He- 
drondes, make their nests at the extremity of the branches of 
the Quinquinos, selecting for that purpose the most solitary 
and slender, without doubt to prevent monkeys, and_ other 
climbing animals which mount those trees, from plundering 
their eggs and preying upon. their young. The texture of these 
nests is worthy of admiration ; for, besides the singularity of 
their resembling the pericarp or fruit of this tree, they form them 
with such art and neatness, with straw, bark, and other flexible. 
