62 MR. Б. SPRUCE ON LEOPOLDINIA PIASSABA. 
able range of distribution in latitude, and apparently a very 
limited one in longitude, extending all along the eastern roots of 
the Andes, from a good way up the Huallaga, on the south, to 
the sources of the Bombonasa, and how much further northward 
I know not; but I have myself seen it through nearly six degrees 
of latitude. It is particularly abundant on low alluvial ridges 
strewed with pebbles of auriferous quartz near Paca-yacu, on the 
Bombonasa, and near Chapaja, on the Huallaga; but it nowhere 
descends into the Amazonian plain, nor have I seen it higher 
among the hills than about 2000 feet. This palm is a true Attalea, 
which I suppose distinct from A. funifera Mart., because the fruit 
is of a different form, and because Martius assigns a submaritime 
habitat to his palm. It is known to the inhabitants of Maynas 
by the name of * Birdti-hudsi’ (Biróti, the darts used in shooting 
with the blowing-cane, and hudsi, a habitation), because they 
make their Biroti of strips of the petiole. The beard is deciduous 
—not persistent, as in the Piassaba—shorter, far less copious, and 
apparently less durable. It makes, however, excellent brooms, 
which is the only use I have seen it turned to. In the Quitenian 
Andes a very similar broom is made of the base of the petiole of 
the Cadi palm (Phytelephas macrocarpa) ; but the decayed paren- 
chyma requires to be combed away from the fibres ere they can 
be well put to this use. 
I proceed to give the dimensions of a Piassaba palm which I 
eut down in the forests of the Guainia, in November 1854; fol- 
lowed by a detailed description of the same species, drawn up from 
fresh specimens. 
Caudex, 40 ft. Fronds, 153-163 ft. (including petiole of 4 ft. 
8 inches). Pinnz, 63 pairs. Beard, 21 inches long (but on young 
plants growing close by as much as 4 feet 9 inches long). Spadix, 
4 ft.; stipes (to first branch), 15 inches, 10 lines broad, 43 lines 
thick ; remains of two spathes, 5 inches apart. Fruit (not ripe), 
21 lines long, 18 lines broad, 15 lines thick. 
Lropoupinia Prassana, Wallace, Palm Trees of the Amazon, 
p. 17. 
Piagaba Brasiliensium. | Chiquichiqui* Orinocensium. 
Hab. Per tractus sylvarum Amazoniensium a fluvio Padauirí ad Orinoci 
* The name ‘ Chiquichiqui’ originated on the Orinoco ; but I am ignorant to 
what Indian language it belongs. 
