THE BEAN AND MIMOSA FAMILY. 



425 



one time ; their rise and fall may be compared to the railway 

 telegraph signals. 



Balsam of Peru (JS'Iyrospermum {Myroxyloii) peruiferurni) 

 Balsam of Tolu {M. toluiferum and other species). Small 

 trees with smooth winged leaves like the Ash, natives of 

 Peru and other parts of tropical America, particularly 

 Guatemala, and the west coast of Central America. They 

 yield a highly valued odoriferous Balsam, which is used in 

 medicine and perfumery. M. frutescens is a tree similar 

 to the preceding, but with pubescent leaves, native of 

 Trinidad. It also yields a gum, with which the former is 

 frequently adulterated. 



Copaiva Balsam [Copaifera officinalis). A large hard- 

 wooded tree, native of Brazil, Guiana, and the West India 

 Islands. The Balsam is contained in the wood of the tree, 

 and is obtained by making deep incisions, when it flows 

 out. The trees are sometimes so full of it, that they burst 

 spontaneously. Large quantities come from the upper 

 region of the Amazon, It is floated down in hollow trees 

 like canoes, some containing as much as 2500 gallons. 

 Other species of the genus are stated to produce Balsams. 



Gum Kino {Pterocarpus marsupium). A large hard-wooded 

 timber tree, native of India, which with P. erinaceus of 

 Western Africa, yields a gum. It is obtained by making 

 incisions in the bark, and is imported for tanning and dye- 

 ing. A gum Kino is also yielded by P. Dalhergioides^ a 

 large tree, native of Burmah and the Andaman Islands, 

 where it groAvs to the diameter of 4 feet. Its wood is hard 

 and similar to mahogany. 



Red Sandal Wood [Pterocarpus santalinus). A tree, native ^^^♦^JU^ 

 of India, particularly on the Coromandel coast. Its wood 

 is of a red colour, and is imported to this country as a dye, 

 being similar to Dragon's Blood. The wood is heavy and 

 close grained. 



Brazil or Braziletto wood {Ccesalpinia echinata). A 

 rugged-growing tree about 20 or 30 feet high, with prickly 

 branches and winged leaves. It is a native of Brazil, and is 



