BALSAM OF TOLU-TREE. 1S1 



the genuine balsam is rarely if ever exported in a commercial way. 

 The best balsam, according to Alpinus, is at first turbid and white, 

 of a very strong pungent smell, like that of turpentine, but much 

 sweeter and more fragrant, and of a bitter, acrid, astringent taste: 

 on being kept for some time, it becomes thin, limpid, light, of a 

 greenish hue, and then of a gold yellow, after which it grows thick 

 like turpentine, and loses much of its fragrance. Some compare 

 the smell of this balsam to that of citrons ; others to that of a mix- 

 ture of rosemary and sage flowers. The chief mark of its good- 

 ness is said to be founded on this, that when dropped on water it 

 spreads itself all over the surface, forming a thin pellicle, tough 

 enough to be taken up upon the point of a pin, and at the same 

 time impregnating the water with its smell and flavour. 



It appears on scripture authority, that the great value and use 

 of tliis drug remounts to very early ages, as it seems coeval with 

 the India trade for pepper. To enumerate all the virtues and 

 medicinal uses still attributed to it by eastern nations, would be 

 outraging the bounds of all rational credibility : but they who are 

 desirous of ihis information may be gratified by consulting Alpinus. 

 European physicians consider it to be not essentially different from 

 other resinous fluids, or turpentines, especially as we find it im- 

 ported here : it is therefore generally believed, that the Canada 

 and Copaiva balsams will answer every purpose for which it can 

 be employed. In Turkey it is not only in hiyh esteem as a medi- 

 cine, but also as an odoriferous unguent and cosmetic : its effects 

 with respect to its last mentioned use seem to depend merely on 

 its stimulating the skin ; for it is observed by Lady Mary Wortley 

 Montague, that the day after she had used the balsam, her face 

 became red and swollen ; an inconvenience which she suffered for 

 diree days. 



[Pantologia. Bruce, Woodville. 



SECTION XVI. 



Balsam of Tolu Tree. 

 Toluifera Balsamum. Woodv. 



This is the only known species of the genus : it is a tree of 

 considerable height, and sends off numerous large branches, and 



N 3 



