FAMILY HERBAL. 21 



The Balsam of Capivi-Tree. Arbor balsamifera 

 fructu monospertno. 



THIS is a large tree. The wood is of a red 

 colour, and fine grain; the bark is brown; 

 the leaves are broad, short, and pointed at 

 the end, and are of a dark green on the upper 

 side, and a mealy white underneath. The flow- 

 ers are as large as apple blossoms, and of a pale 

 colour ; the fruit is a pod containing only one seed, 

 which is as big as a nut. and the kernel is sweet and 

 of a good taste. 



The tree is frequent in the Brasils. We use no 

 part of it, but orly the balsam which runs out at 

 wounds they make in the trunk in summer ; it is 

 thin like oil. It has the same virtues with tur- 

 pentine, but is more powerful; it is excellent in 

 the whites, and it is good in all complaints of 

 the urinary passages. It may be taken alone on 



The Balsam of Peru-Tree. Arbor balsamifera 

 Peruviana. 



THIS is a shrub of eight feet high, with 

 slender and tough branches. The leaves are 

 very long and narrow ; the flowers are yellow 

 and large, and the fruit is crooked. The whole 

 plant has a fragrant smell, especially the young 

 shoots and the buds. 



The balsam of Peru is procured from the fra- 

 grant tops of this shrub, by boiling them in 

 water ; the blackish liquor rises like oil to the 

 top, and, when cold, it is the balsam of Peru. 

 There is a white balsam of Peru, very fragrant and 

 fine, but it is scarce. This is the produce of 



