This tree is not very large; its bark is one of the strongest astringents, and is at the same time somewhat stimulating, which renders it applicable to some disorders. The peasants use it to heal their own wounds, as well as those of animals. Women use it after child-bearing, bathing themselves in a decoction of the leaves. I am persuaded that the extract of it, if it did not exceed would at least equal in medicinal virtue the mimoza catechu.
Almecega, Amyris Pernambucensis;—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.
This is a tree which sometimes attains a great height; from its bark oozes a resinous juice which is indissoluble in water, but it is completely dissolvible in spirit of wine. The woods of Goiana and of Alhandra abound with these trees, and the Indians of the latter place gather the gum in considerable quantities, and sell it at from 20 to 40 reis per lb. It has almost the same medicinal virtues as turpentine; when applied in the form of a plaister to the forehead, it affords relief, and it usually removes the tooth-ach. Our apothecaries use it in making up some kinds of ointments. It is mixed by our people with the yellow wax of the country for the purpose of making candles for common use. A fourth part of tallow is added to it, for caulking canoes, water wheels of sugar mills, &c.
The gum is known under two forms; that which is white and clean is called almecega cozida or boiled; for the Indians who gather it, boil it for the purpose of separating the impurities, and they make loaves of it of 16 and 20 lbs. weight. The almecega crua, or raw, when dissolved in spirits of wine, might be used in the composition of some kinds of varnish; and being burnt, it might serve instead of incense, as is practised with the balsam of the Sertam, and as the resin of the amyris ambrosiaca or icica heptafylla of Aublet is used in some parts of America.
THE END.
Printed by A. Strahan,
New-Street-Square, London.
ERRATA.
Page 52, line 32, for Pernaiba read Parnaiba.
——...99, —— ...1, for he read the animal.
—— 123, ——... 4, for we read was.
—— 182, —— 28, for dress read dressed.
—— 189, —— 27, for sand read land.
—— 196, —— 19, for Utringa read Utinga.
—— 233, ——... 2, for Mamanguape read Maranguape.
—— 233, ——... 8, for superintending read superintended.
—— 352, —— 25, for ou read on.