34 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES BALSAM 



a certain extent be due to climatal influences, consequent on 

 their wide geographical range, being natives of Peru and other 

 parts of tropical America, particularly Guatemala, and the 

 west coast of Central America. Balsam of Peru being the pro- 

 duce of 3L Pereirm, or as it is now called Toluifera Pereirce ; 

 and Balsam of Tolu M. toluiferum or Toluifera Balsamum. 

 This Balsam is a fluid generated in the bark of the tree, and is 

 obtained by making V-shaped incisions in the bark, beneath 

 which are fixed small gourds; when these are filled they are 

 removed, the Balsam being afterwards purified and put into 

 laro-er vessels. Its consistence is thick and tenacious, and by age 

 becomes hard and brittle. It is highly fragrant. At San Salva- 

 dor the tree producing Balsam of Peru is stated to attain the 

 height of 50 feet, and to obtain the Balsam the trees are beaten 

 on four sides with a blunt instrument, taking care to leave four 

 intermediate strips of bark unbeaten, by which the tree retains 

 its vitality ; the part beaten becomes loosened from the wood, but 

 is not broken externally ; notches are cut in the loosened bark, 

 fire is applied to the notches, which ignites the exuding Balsam, 

 and is allowed to burn for a short time ; cotton rags are then 

 stuffed into the wounds, and after fifteen days the balsam begins 

 to flow copiously ; the rags on becoming saturated are thrown 

 into vessels of boiling water, on which the Balsam floats, and as 

 it collects it is skimmed off; it is then of the consistency of 

 turpentine, of a dark colour, and is purified by re-boiling. Like 

 the preceding, it is highly aromatic, and is used in medicine and 

 perfumery. 



Balsam, West Indian, a gum - resin obtained from the 

 different species of Clusia, a genus of the Gamboge family 

 (Guttiferse), natives of the West Indies and tropical America, 

 where they are called Balsam trees. They are small, much- 

 branched, soft-wooded trees, with opposite thick, soft leaves ; 

 they are partially epiphytal, sending down thick aerial roots 

 from the stems and branches. A gum-resin is obtained from 

 the stems of C. multiflora and other species. It is odoriferous, 

 and in Peru and other parts of South America is burnt as 



