The balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. A great variety of substances pass under this name, but the term is now usually restricted to resins which, in addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and cinnamic acid. Among the true balsams are the balm of gilead, and the balsams of copaiba, Peru, and tolu. There are also many pharmaceutical preparations and resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to which the name balsam has been given.
(Science: botany) Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood? (Tennyson) balsam apple, the American coniferous tree, abies balsamea, from which the useful canada balsam is derived. Balsam of copaiba. See copaiba. Balsam of Mecca, balm of gilead. Balsam of peru, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained from a Central American tree (myroxylon Pereirae and used as a stomachic and expectorant, and in the treatment of ulcers, etc. It was long supposed to be a product of Peru. Balsam of tolu, a reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or solid balsam, obtained from a south American tree (Myxoxylon toluiferum). It is highly fragrant, and is used as a stomachic and expectorant. Balsam tree, any tree from which balsam is obtained, especially. The abies balsamea. Canada balsam, balsam of fir, canada turpentine, a yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by time and exposure, becomes a transparent solid mass. It is obtained from the balm of gilead (or balsam) fir (abies balsamea) by breaking the vesicles upon the trunk and branches. See balm.
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I know this might not be that useful now but its a type of habbitat that only contains one species e.g. when an invasive species (like himalayan balsam) outcompetes all species in an area leaving itself as the only species. Just in case you're still interested
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... 6. Staining - Eosin-Y about 30 seconds 7. Dehydration - ethanol (staged) to ethanol absolute or 96 % (dip just a while) 8. Mounting - canada balsam Feel free to ask me, I try to explain as far as I can ;)
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