Pe-rū'vi-an1, a.
a. [Fr. Péruvien, Sp. Peruviano.] (Geog.) Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America.
Peruvian balsam. See BALSAM OF PERU.—Peruvian bark, the bark of trees of various species of Cinchona. It is of a bitter taste, and acts as a powerful tonic. This property is due to the alkaloids Cinchonia and Quininia, and their compounds. The pale varieties are said to be richer in the former, and the yellow in the latter. It is obtained from the eastern slope of the Cordilleras in South America, between the parallels of 25° south latitude and 12° north latitude. It is called also Jesuit’s bark.