Myrospermum Peruiferum

This plant yields the drug known as

balsam of Peru, which is procured by making incisions in the bark,

into which cotton rags are thrust; a fire is then made round the

tree to liquefy the balsam. The balsam is collected by boiling the

saturated rags in water. It is a thick, treacly looking liquid,

with fragrant aromatic smell and taste, and is not used so much in

medicine as it formerly was.