FLORA OF THE ISTHMUS OF PAN.^A. 71 
poorer classes have to sleep upon are manufactured from the fibre of Plantain leaves {Musa 
paradisiacay Linn.). 
Nmnerous vegetable substances are applied to miscellaneous purposes. An infusion of 
the leaves of the Te {Corchorus siliquosus, Linn.) is drunk instead of tea, and a similar 
preparation may be made from those of the Fredcra thcoidcs, Swartz, a shrub common on 
the volcano of Chiriqui. The aerial roots of the Zanora {Iriariea exorrhiza, Mart.), being 
clad ^vitll numerous spines, are used as graters ; and although thoy are not so fine as those 
supplied by art, yet in a country where, from the hmuidity of the climate, tin ones soon get 
rusty, they are almost preferable. The natives chiefly employ them when grathig Cocoa- 
nuts, which, boiled with rice, compose one of then- favourite dishes. The leaves of the 
Papmjo {Carica Papaya, Linn.) are a substitute for soap. The wood of the Balsa {Ochroma 
Lac/opus, Swartz), being soft and light, like cork, is used for stopping bottles : the never- 
sinking rafts, which, at the discovery of South xVmerica, caused such surprise among the 
early adventurers, were then constructed of it and are so still. The fruit of the Palo de 
velas or Caudle-tree {Parmentiera cereifera, Seem.) serve to fatten cattle. The wool of 
various SterculiacecB, the Balsa {Ocliroma Layopus, Swartz), Ceiha {Eriodcndron Caribmn, 
Don), and Barrigon {PacJdra Barrigon, Seem.), is employed for stuffing pillows, cushions, 
etc. ' Hedges are made of the Ortiga {Urtica baccifera, Linn.), Poroporo {CocMospcmum 
Jiibiscoides, H.B. et Kth.), P'Uajai/a (Cereus Pifajaj/a, Dc Cand.), and Pi?mela {Bromelia 
sp.). The hard slieUs of the Crcsccutia Cujcfa, Linn., are turned into bottles, sieves, pails, 
spoons, and various other household articles. In catching fish by stupefaction, the natives 
avail themselves of the juice of the Manzanilh de playa {Ilippomane Mancineila, Linn.), the 
" bark of the Fspave {Anacardium Bhinocarpus, De Cand.), and the leaves of the Barhasco 
{Piper sp.). Oil is obtained from the fruit of the Corozo Colorado {Eldis mehnococca, 
Gsertn.), and wine, vinegar, food, habitations, clothing, and numerous other necessaries of 
life from the different palms which inhabit the country. The leaves of the Churaico {Cu- 
rafella Americana, Linn.) and Chmnico bijuco {Bamlla lucida, Prcsl) are used for cleaning 
iron, pohshing and scouring wood ; indeed, they serve all the purposes of sand-paper. Fron. 
the Jipijapa {Carhdovica palmata, Ruiz et Pav.) the far-famed Panama hats are plaited. 
Nor is the flora destitute of plants which claim attention on account of their beauty, 
raritv or singidar configm-atiou. The Espiritu Sanio or Holy Ghost plant {Peristeria data. 
Hook.) bears a flower resembling a dove, and is, like the Ilor de sernana santa, another 
Orchidea, almost held in rcligioiis veneration, and eagerly sought for when in blossom. The 
Biura {Petrma volMlis, Jacq.) is a flower of whose beauty those who have only seen it in 
conservatories can form but an inadequate idea : nothing can be more charming than the 
si<Tht of whole groves overspread with the long blue racemes of this creeper; it almost 
bSfles description. /The Palo de buba {Jacaranda filicifolla, Don) is another of those 
plants on which poets delight to try their pen, and painters their brush. Wien this noble 
tree rises on the banks of the river, amidst the dark foliage of a luxuriant vegetation, and 
