REMARKABLE GOLD NUGGETS. 273 



by two inches broad in tbe bark, which is then lifted up, and the apertures 

 stuffed with rags. The tree being previously heated by a brisk fire round 

 it, the rags are suffered to remain for a few days, when they are removed 

 and placed in a pot called an " Olla ; " water is added, and they are allowed 

 to boil for five or six hours, by which means the resin is separated from the 

 rags, which are taken out before the water cools, and the resin, on cooling, 

 being of a greater density, sinks to the bottom, where it is collected after 

 the water is poured off. The rags, after removal from the water, and while 

 yet in a warm state, are submitted to heavy pressure, for the purpose of 

 obtaining the balsam still attached to them. It is imported in large 

 earthenware pots of a pear-shaped form, partly covered with basket-work, or 

 in tin canisters. It is used in medicine as a stimulant, and also for making 

 spills for lighting candles, &c, in churches, and for torches. The source of 

 Balsam of Tolu is but imperfectly known. Myrospermum Toluiferum, Rich., 

 is no doubt one of its sources. This, like the former, is a native of the 

 north-west of South America, and the manner of collecting it nearly 

 identical, with this exception, that it is said to be collected in " vessels 

 made of black wax." Its properties are similar to Balsam of Peru, but it 

 hardens with greater rapidity. It is used in perfumery, and as a flavouring 

 agent in confectionery. The well-known Tolu lozenge^ owe their pleasant 

 flavour to this resin. The large fleshy seeds of Castanospermum Australe, 

 Cunn., called the Moreton Bay Chesnut, are eaten in that country, either 

 roasted or raw. When roasted, they are said to much resemble the Spanish 

 chesnut, whence their name. They have also been stated to contain 

 astringent properties ; but travellers assert that Europeans have subsisted 

 upon them without any unfavourable effects. The brown shining pods are 

 from four to six inches long, and contain two or three seeds, each cotyledon 

 being nearly or quite as large as an ordinary chesnut ; the wood is 

 employed for making cask staves. 



There are many other plants in this division of the order which furnish 

 products chiefly medicinal ; but, being used only in native practice, and 

 with doubtful effects, it has been thought needless to mention them here. 



A RECORD OF THE MOST REMARKABLE SPECIMENS OF 



NATIVE GOLD ; 



Their Weight, Specific Gravity, Assay, and Proportion of Pure 



Gold. 



by william birkmyre. 



1. — "The Welcome Nugget," found by a party of 24 at Bakery Hill, 

 Ballaarat, Victoria, at a depth of 180 feet, apparently water- worn, and of 

 no regular shape, its length being 20 inches, breadth 12, depth 7, con- 



VOL. II. U 



