Among the more precious substances obtained from plants, applied as curative of wounds by the ruder inhabitants of the Eastern climates, the balm of Gilead, or balsam of Mecca, has been eminently distinguished during many ages. But although the balm of Gilead is well known from several scriptural allusions, and highly esteemed, it is only of secondary quality to the bal- Balm of Gilead

Besides the balsam now described, which is the purest and most valuable kind, and is called Opobalsamum, other two of inferior quality are obtained from the balessen, the name by which the plant is known in the East: first, Carposbalssum, which is prepared by expression from the fruit when it has attained maturity, and which, if good, should be ponderous of a pungent taste and balsamic odour; secondly, Xylobalsamum, which is elaborated from a decoction of the twigs.

Prosper Alpinus, one of the older naturalists, ascribes many properties to the balsam of Mecca, esteemed the most precious of all that bear the appellation of balsam, and in ordinary description considered as synonymous with the balm of Gilead; and the modern Arabs, Turks, and Egyptians, entertain great confidence in its efficacy. Hasselquist says it is useful as a stomachic in doses of three grains. It is also taken for complaints in the breast, in fevers, and in rheumatism. Its repute as an antiseptic is very great; and by the Egyptians it is esteemed an effectual antidote against the plague. The balsam of Mecca, however, is principally used as a cosmetic by the Eastern females of rank.

The balm of Gilead has been celebrated from a very remote antiquity. We have the testimony of Moses that it was an article of commerce in the earlier periods of Jewish history; for at the time Joseph was confined by his brethren in a pit, and during their deliberations on his fate, it is said, "And they sat down to eat bread,—and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery, and balm, and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt." Jeremiah particularly alludes to the virtues of the balm in Gilead. Josephus, however, does not carry the knowledge of it so high; for he observes, that the Queen of Sheba brought the balm of Gilead as a present to Solomon. The ancients who were contemporary with Josephus, seem to have regarded Judæa as exclusively possessed of this product. Pliny remarks,—"but to all other odours whatsoever is to be preferred that balsam which is produced in no other part of the world than the land of Judæa, and there in two gardens only, both belonging to the king, one not exceeding twenty acres in size, and the second still smaller." Strabo, however, in the opinion of Mr Bruce, ascertained the real spot where the balsam originated, in ascribing it to that country over or near to which the Queen of Sheba reigned. "Near to this," he says, "is the most favoured land of the Sabaeans, and they are a very great people. Frankincense, myrrh, and cinnamon, grow among them, and on the coast that is about Sabae, the balsam also." Whence Mr Bruce observes that "among the myrrh-trees behind Asab, all along the coast to the Straits of Babelmandel, is its native country. It grows to a tree above fourteen feet high, spontaneously and without culture, like the myrrh, the coffee, and the frankincense tree; they are all equally the wood of the country, and occasionally cut down for fuel." Diodorus Siculus likewise affirms that this balsam grew in a valley of Arabia Felix. But Mr Bruce, who investigated the subject with considerable care, supposes that it was towards the era of Pliny that it received its name of Balsamum Judæicum, or balm of Gilead, and thence became an article of commerce and fiscal revenue, which might probably operate as a discouragement to bringing it from Arabia; as also that it might be prohibited as contraband. Some centuries later than the time of those ancient authors, we see that it was known in Arabia, and perhaps in the place now most celebrated for it. In the travels of Ali Bey it is stated that there is no balsam made at Mecca; that, on the contrary, it is very scarce, and is obtained principally in the territory of Medina; and also that it was called balsam. As the repute of the balsam of Mecca rose, the balm of Gilead disappeared; though in the era of Galen, who flourished in the second century, and travelled into Syria and Palestine purposely to obtain a knowledge Balmerino of this substance, it grew in Jericho, and many other parts of the Holy Land. The cause of its total decay has been ascribed, not without reason, to the royal attention being withdrawn from it by the distractions of the country. In more recent times its naturalization seems to have been attempted in Egypt; but apparently without success.

Notwithstanding the celebrity of this plant, Mr Bruce denies that it had ever been seen by the ancients, by whom he probably means the Romans, as their descriptions are so various and discordant. Prosper Alpinus, who lived in the sixteenth century, does not seem to know the real class to which it belongs; and even more recently M. Duplessy is apparently not aware of its having been figured by Bruce, and still later by Dr Woodville. Such uncertainties of old excited a violent dispute between the inhabitants of Rome and Venice whether the drug used in medicinal compounds was truly the balm of Gilead; and the point being referred to the pope, his holiness directed that information should be obtained from Egypt, in consequence of which he decided in favour of the Venetians.

Several other balsamic plants of the same genus are enumerated by botanists, each exhibiting some peculiarity. J.G.D.