Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 02.djvu/505

BALNAVES. died in 1579. For his biography consult Rogers, Three Scottish Reformers (London, 1874).

BAL'NIBAR'BI. One of the countries mentioned by Swift in his Gulliver's Travels.

BALSA, Ijiil'sa (Sp., Port., from Peruv. balza, a light wood, of which rafts are made). A raft or float, used originally for carrying passengers across a river or for landing in the surf. It consists of two floats — commonly made of logs from the balsa-tree, the wood of which is al- most as light as cork — separated a short dis- tance from each other and held in that position by a framework. It has been used in South America for centuries; it sometimes consists, as on the coast of Brazil, of several sharpened logs held together by slats; and, used by fishermen, is often met far out at sea. On the western coast of South America balsas are made of bullock- hide sewn together over a framework to form a body of nearly circular section, pointed and turned up at the ends; two of them are joined together by a framework to which they are lashed. The balsa must be regarded as a develop- ment of the raft principle, and is analogous to the pirogue, proa, banca, catamaran, and other out-rigger boats of Asia and the Pacific islands. The balsas used in the navy are composed of two floats joined by a framework, over which are laid slats about an inch apart. Each float is about 10 feet long, of oval section, but somewhat flat- tened on top and tapering slightly from the centre toward the ends, built up of staves and banded like a barrel. The width of naval balsas is about two-thirds the length. Larger sizes have been issued, but they are not now supplied. The 'india-rubber balsa' has been used on shipboard more or less since 18.37, but since the advent of collapsible boats its use has decreased. It is composed of two or more cylindrical, air-tight bags, with apparatus for inflating them, and a framework and raft-body to hold them together and afford a platform for passengers or freight. It is comparatively light and portable, but takes up much deck room, and the rubber deteriorates rapidly.

BALSAM, bal'sam (Lat. balsamum, Gk. j3a/l- aafim, balsamon, resin of the balsam tree, the tree itself). A name formerly comprehending many resinous substances and oils, to which important medicinal virtues were ascribed, as well as of medicines compounded of resins and oils. When the term balsam is now used without addition, the balsams of Peru and Tolu are generally in- tended. These two balsams are very similar in all iheir more important properties, and are both produced by trees of the genus Myroxylon, of the natural order Leguminosæ, natives of the tropical parts of America. Myroxylon perniferum, which is called the Quinquino, a beautiful tree, common from Peru to Mexico, is generally regarded as the species which produces the balsam of Peru; and Myroxylon toluiferum, a very similar species, found in the forests of Tolu, the banks of the Magdalena, etc., as that which produces the bal- sam of Tolu; but it is doubtful if the difference is not at least as much owing to the modes of procuring and preserving the balsam; and other ispecies of the same genus (Myroxylon Pereiræ and Myroxylon pubescens) are supposed also to yield it. Balsam of Peru appears in two forms, white and black. Some claim the white is from the pods, the black from the tree-trunk; others

say the differences are due to methods of prepa- ration. The actual evidence is insufficient to determine these points with certainty, and it is not improbable that different methods may be employed. Both balsams have a very fragrant odor. They are used in confectionery to impart a flavor like that of vanilla; also in perfumery, and for pastilles, etc. In medicine, they are administered as gentle stimulants and tonics, and particularly in chronic bronchial affections. Tolu lozenges are a popular and pleasant remedy for troublesome coughs. These balsams are also used for cleansing ulcers. They contain cinnamic acid, a peculiar oily substance which has been called cinnamein, also known as Oil of Balsam of Peru, resins, benzoic, acids, tolene, etc. The name white Balsam of Peru is sometimes given to a balsamic substance which flows from the Liquidambar styraciflua. See.

The name Balm of Gilead is generally applied to a liquid resinous substance, which has long en- joyed a very high reputation in the East, being prized not only for its fragrance, but also for the medicinal virtues which it is supposed to possess. It is the subject of several allusions in the Old Testament, which strongly indicate the prevalent opinion of its preciousness; and is celebrated by Strabo, Pliny, Diodorus Siculus, and other an- cient writers as a cure for almost every disease. It is generally believed to be produced by a species of Commiphora — a small tree growing in Arabia and Abyssinia, and known as Commiphora opobalsamum. The finest balsam, called Opobal- sam, or Balm of Mecca, is obtained by incisions; at first turbid and white, it finally becomes of a golden yellow color, and of a consistence like honey. Inferior kinds are obtained by boiling the fruit and the wood. Balm of Gilead is irritating when applied to the skin, and is be- lieved to resemble Balsam of Copaiva in its effects upon the human system.

Other substances, sometimes designated balsams, and possessing a somewhat similar fragrance, are produced by different species of Burseracæ. Among them is one called South American balm of Gilead, the product of a tree called Protium carana. Balsamic substances are furnished also by a number of species of Clusiaceæ — Balsam of Umiri, a fragrant yellow fluid, by Humirium floribundum, a South American tree. Canada Balsam is a kind of turpentine obtained from the Balm-of-Gilead Fir (Abies balsamea); Hungarian Balsam, from the Mugho or Mountain Pine (Pinus pumilio or mughus); and Carpathian Balsam, from the Stone Pine (Pinus pinea). (See and .) Balsam of Copaiva is the produce of different species of Copaifera. (See .) A variety of Populus balsamifera is known in the United States as the Balm-of-Gilead tree.

BALSAM (Impatiens balsamina). An erect, semi-succulent annual, native of India, and cultivated in flower-gardens for more than 300 years. Many varieties have arisen through cultivation and selection. The double sorts are known as camellia-flowered varieties. The plant grows from 1 to 2½ feet high, and branches freely. The flowers are axillary, and vary in color from white and yellow to dark red. The plant is of easy culture. Seed may be sown in the open, or plants started in pots and planted out after danger of frost is past.