Foreign Vegetables. 221 
2. Balfamum Peruvianum fufcum , vel. Nigricans , 
Off. The brown Balfam of Peru is likewife a fluid, 
refinous, inflammable Juice, of the Confidence of 
Turpentine, having a dark reddifh Colour, a fra- 
grant Smell like Benzoine, and a gentle pungent, 
fubacrid Tade. When it appears black, and has 
an unpleafant Scent, as if it were burnt or fmoaked, 
it is not fit forUfe. 
They are both obtained from the fame Tree, 
which is called Hoitziloxitl , feu Arbor Balfami Indicia 
Balfamifera prima , Hernand. 51, Balfamum ex Peru 9 
J. B. 1. 295. Cabureiba , feu Balfamum Peruvianum , 
Pifon. 1 19. Cabui lb a , Marcgrav. 137. It grows 
in Peru , and other fouthern Parts of America . The 
white Balfam runs from an Incifion in the Bark of 
the Tree •, and the brown is got by a Method of 
Decoction much ufed by the Indians. They cad 
fmall Pieces of the Trunk, Bark, and Branches, 
into a large Cauldron full of Water, which they 
fuffer to boil *as long as convenient. When the 
Water has Hood to cool, the Oil, which fwims up- 
on it, is gathered in Shells and put by. 
The white Balfam, according to Paul Herman , 
being chymically treated, gives up an Oil which 
immediately concretes into a Salt refembling Sugar, 
and white like Camphore, confiding of fine oily 
Particles, and a volatile acid Salt intimately com- 
bined. 
The Balfam of Peru (either the white or brown) 
is commended for the fame Ufes as the Balfam of 
Mecca , and is given in the fame Manner, from 
four Drops to twelve in Adhmas, Confumptions, 
nephritick Pains, and Suppreflion of the Menfes . 
Externally it eafes Pains arifing from cold Hu- 
mours, redores contracted Nerves, and is excellent 
for curing Wounds. It is advifeable to be cautious 
in ufing it, becaufe of its flrong Smell, which dis- 
orders 
