On the manufacture of Balsam of Peru / by Daniel Hanbury.

  • Hanbury, Daniel, 1825-1875.
Date:
[1864]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the manufacture of Balsam of Peru / by Daniel Hanbury. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    Tamanique, situated in a circular valley, surrounded by very high and heavily timbered mountains, among which are numerous tigers, wild hogs, lions (puma), aud four-fingered green monkeys. Vanilla is plentiful, but not of the finest quality. There are at present Ancient Tributary Balsam Jar. worked 1400 balsam-trees, producing about 1G0 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 #3500. The next article of value is cacao, of which there are 1700 trees, value of produce this year #830. 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 mora (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 Sousonate 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 (to-rancai), 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 which form a^reat 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