300 MANUFACTURE OF BALSAM OF PERU. 



1863. collected. In the dog-days, that is from the 15th July to the 15th 

 August, there being scarcely any rain here, a small quantity is 

 collected by a few enterprising Indians. 



The beating and application of rags is only made during 

 four days of each week, that is four cosechas (harvests) per 

 month. Should the flow of resin decrease, fresh heating and 

 rags are applied, and after eight days the boiling is resumed, 

 and so on as long as the dry season permits. It was formerly 

 the practice to apply fire to cuts made in the bark and to allow 

 the exuding resin to burn for a short time : now after a good 

 beating the bark is only heated by torches or burning wood. 



Ancient Tributary Balsam Jar. 



I believe I mentioned to you that before the conquest and for 

 a short time after, balsam formed a part of the tribute paid to 

 the chiefs of Cuscatlan, the chief department of the State (now 

 S. Salvador), and was brought from the coast in earthenware 

 Tributary jars representing the pajuil or Mexican pheasant ( Craxglobicera). 

 Jars. 'Many of these old jars are now found in the mounds and excava- 

 tions of the ancient pueblos on the coast. I send you a copy of a 

 broken one in the possession of our worthy Bishop. It is one- 

 fourth the original size. The pajuil feeds on the young nuts, and 

 is found in great numbers on these trees during the season. 



The small pueblos scattered over the so-called Balsam Coast 

 are numerous. The principal ones are : 



