ON TIIE MANUFACTURE OF BALSAM OF PERU. 
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worked 1400 balsam-trees, producing about 160 arobas yearly. In the vicinity are 1500 
cacao-trees of fine quality producing seventy arobas of cacao-beans. The Indians are a 
drunken and superstitious race. 
Chiltiuapan, near the sea, on an elevated and extensive plateau, between two rivers, 
the Sonto and the Sonsapuapa, running to the sea, with fine fish, and numerous caymans. 
The dense forests surrounding this pretty pueblo, contain 2569 balsam-trees, producing 
450 arobas of balsam, value about .83500. The next article of value is cacao, of which 
there are 1700 trees, value of produce this year 41830. The Indians of this pueblo are 
honest and very industrious, as besides the balsam and cacao they have now coffee plan¬ 
tations, and grow much Indian corn. The dress of the women consists only of a small 
petticoat, crimson, with a black stripe. They speak the Nahuat idiom. 
Talnique, at the foot of the Cerro del Tamagas, or Snake-hill, situated on a most ex¬ 
tensive and fertile plain, six leagues from Sonsonate, S.E. There are not above 500 
balsam-trees about this pueblo. It is more noted for its fine qualities of timber, vanilla 
and cacao. It is from this vicinity that the best mom (fustic) is obtained, and also the 
finest grained rosewood (Grenadilla). The streams, of which there are several, abound 
in leeches, which are often sold in Sonsonate at four reals each. The Indians being in 
constant communication with Sonsonate are a vicious and lazy race. As in most of these 
pueblos, the wild animals commit great ravages among the cattle. 
Jicalapa, situated on a small plain, about three leagues from the beach, intersected by 
deep gulleys ( barrancas ), heavily wooded, principally with large cedars. The Indians 
are an idle race, and only cultivate about 1200 balsam-trees although many more exist 
in the dense woods, which remain uncleared. The heat is very great, and the climate 
most unhealthy. Maize is mostly cultivated, and plantains are numerous. The ani¬ 
mals are tigers, pumas, warris, ant-eaters (two varieties), armadilloes and large black 
monkeys wiiich form a great portion of Indian delicacies. 
Teotepeque, a small pueblo, situated on a beautiful eminence sixteen leagues from 
Sonsonate and one league from the sea. The climate is very hot, often 105° F. in the 
shade, but from its elevation very healthy. The men wear a scanty breech cloth, and 
the women only an apology for a petticoat. They are the most debased of all the Indians 
of the coast, plant a little com and live principally on fish and every kind of animal, 
including their favourite dish the Iguana. There are plenty of balsam trees on the slopes 
of the mountains, but not above 300 are worked. They sell their balsam to the neigh¬ 
bouring pueblos in exchange for mania. The hills also produce sarsaparilla, and several 
gums, incense, etc. 
Comasagua.—This town, although producing a little balsam does not belong really to 
the balsam coast, being nearer San "Vicente. There are about 1000 trees, but their 
cultivation has been nearly abandoned for that of coffee, the climate being cool and ap¬ 
propriate to that plant. The balsam is sold in San Salvador. They have vanilla, maize, 
wheat, rice, potatoes, peaches, and a variety of fruit to supply the market of San Salva-, 
dor. The inhabitants are mostly Ladinos, very steady, brave, and industrious. The 
dress of the women changes here to red and blue checkered. 
Jayaque.—This town, which from records has existed for 260 years, is situated on the 
fertile declivity of a mountain called La Cumbre, a few leagues from Izalco, and near 
the hot river Cachal. There are about 1000 balsam trees under cultivation. Sugar 
however is the principal branch of industry, value this year in panela or moist sugar 
-S4000. The forests abound in fine woods, mahogany, cedar, rosewood, fustic and laurel, 
copulchi and a few quina trees, with sarsaparilla. About the year 1780, this town, then 
very large, was nearly destroyed by a flood of liquid mud, that issued suddenly from a 
small hill opposite ; a great portion of the inhabitants fled to the upper lands, and settled 
the present pueblo of Ateos, on the main road to San Salvador. The whole of these 
lands are volcanic, and form part of the volcanic group of Santa Ana and Izalco. 
These are the principal towns trading in balsam, there are however many small villages 
and chacras or farms, having trees and working them, with whose names I have not 
become acquainted. The Indian name of the balsam is Hoo shi-it, or Oo sheet; in Spa¬ 
nish it is called Balsamo negro. 
The drawings I enclose you, are first, a sketch of the process of extracting the balsam ; 
second, a Tecomate with its covering, and the open bag used as a press; third, sketch of 
a tribute jar representing the pajuil. 
In addition to the sketches here referred to, and which are reproduced in the 
