had the lead appearance of feed. Neither could I obtain
any of it at Tecamez. This is an article they fet very little
value on themfelves, and are wonderfully furprifed it
fhould be enquired after. Of the tree indeed they are more,
careful, and very cautious in fhewing it. Had it not been
for the friendfhip of the gentleman I mentioned, it is.,
more than probable I lhould have returnetLwithout feeing
it at all.
I remarked that all the Bark Trees I faw grew on the fide
of a hill, and in a dry rocky foil. None of them exceeded
two feet in circumference, nor any of them 24 feet in
height. The mode the Indiana ufe in ftripping the treer
is by making longitudinal incifions in the bark about two
inches broad, and two feet long. They then tie it up in
bundles, thirty-two pounds each, and keep it in that ftate
for a day or two. Their reafon for tying it up in this manner
is to prevent its too haftily drawing itfelf together by
the heat, though it labours under a great difadvantage o f
appearing iron-coloured,.and not fo handfome to the eye as
when it is at once expofed to the fun, and regularly turned
and dried. Indeed, in drying Bark great care ought to be
taken that it is not put away too fuddenly. It fhould be
perfectly crifp,and break fhort in two—it is then fit for ufe.
Their method o f conveying it from one place to another,
is by flowing it in large leathern trunks. When the trunk
is damp it is apt to get mouldy: but this they confider as
of fmall importance; for by drying it in the fun its moul-
3 dinefs