236 Dr Hancock on Resinous and Balsamic 



The Ackaiari is one of the most valuable of the timber trees 

 of Guiana. The wood is perhaps adapted to a greater variety 

 of uses than any other in that country. It is indeed rather 

 distant from the settlements ; yet I should conceive it could 

 be easily floated down the Essequebo, being nearly as light as 

 deal or pine timber, although as durable perhaps as cypress. 



Hyowa, 



This is obtained from the Amyris Ambrosiaca of Willdenow, 

 Icica ^'phylloe of Aublet, and grows abundantly over all 

 Guiana. — It is often mixed with the Courucay, the gum of 

 another species of the same genus.* 



The Hyowa is held in high esteem by the inland natives, 

 as one of their most sovereign antihectic remedies. 



The semifluid juice in particular, when recently taken from 

 the tree, is extremely fragrant and odoriferous. It may be pre- 

 served in this condition, if it be drawn into a bottle from the 

 tree and well corked. 



In this state I have heard cited very numerous instances of 

 its effecting cures, in cases of cough and emaciation, among 

 the Creoles of these colonies, being taken in new milk and su- 

 gar. Thus fresh from the tree, Mr Baker says it cured him 

 of emaciation and consumptive cough (of such severity and 

 continuance that very little hopes were entertained of his reco- 

 very,) by taking it every morning and evening, and washing 

 it down with new milk. He was not exact, but thinks he took 

 it usually about a small teaspoonful to the dose. 



Its fumes are sometimes inhaled in coughs, by placing it on 

 a heated stone. It is thus carried more into immediate contact 

 with the diseased parts. I believe, however, that its benefi- 

 cial effects arise chiefly from a more general resolvent altera- 

 tive action on the system, through the medium of the stomach 

 and absorbent system, and that it is best taken as first stated. 



If it is dried, it becomes necessary to employ it in a spirit- 

 ous tincture ; or, if still drier, in powder ; but it has much 

 less effect than the recent juice, as, by drying, it parts with 



• This substance is very similar to the gum Elemi of the shops. We 

 employed it as a pitch for stopping our corials and canoes in navigating 

 the Essequebo. Various other species are eligible for the same purpose. 



