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1 
204 BOTANY OF THE YOYAGE OF H.M.S. HERALD. 
926. Attalea Cohnne, Mart., Wlprs. Ann. vol. i. p. 1008.— Nomina vernacul. '^Palma real" 
et " Corozo gallinazo." On dry ground^ on hills, common in the Pro^dnce of Panama. 
Stem about 40 feet high ; leaves pinnated, 30 feet, and each leaflet about 3 feet, long. Prom the stem 
palm wine is prepared; the \mexpandcd leaflets are used for wrapping np cakes of Indian corn {tortillas) 
previous to boihng them in water j the expanded leaves serve as thatch ; from the fruit an oil is extracted. 
927. EL.iis melamcocca, Geertn., Knnth, Enum. vol. iii. p. 279.— Komen vernacul. "Corozo 
Colorado." In swamps, and on the banks of rivulets, common in the woods all over the country. 
The Palm is always found in swampy shady places, never on dry ground, or in sunny exposed positions. 
The caudex, which is short and thick, creeps along the ground, and has generally so very few roots, that it 
is not difficult to overturn a whole plant by a single kick of the foot. The loaves are 24 feet long ; the 
fruit is red, hence the vernacular name " Corozo Colorado." Prom it the inhabitants extract an oil, which 
is burned in their lamps. The fruit, after havmg been boiled, is stamped in a wooden mortar, until the 
siircocarpium is separated from the putaraen, and the oil is floating on the surface of the Hquid mass thus 
produced. 
928. Cocos nucifera, Linn., Kunth, Enum. vol. iii. p. 285.— Nomen vernacul. " Coco." 
Common on the sea-shores, both wild and in a cultivated state, but does not produce in the interior 
of the Isthmus any fruit. 
Besides the Pahns here enumerated, there are, according to the natives, several others in the neigh- 
bourhood of Portobelo; there is also one in Yeraguas, called " Chonta," of which the Panama hammocks 
are partly manufactured. 
PANDANE^. 
929. Carlitdgvica palmata, Ruiz et Pav., Kunth, Enum. vol. iii. p. 106.— Nomina veraacul. 
" Jipijape" et " Portorico." In half-shady places all over the country. 
This species of Carludovica ia distinguished from all others by being terrestrial, never climbing, and 
bearing fan-bhaped leaves. The leaves are from six to fom-tccn feet high, and their lamina about four feet 
across. The flowers appear towards the end of the dry season, in February and March. In the Isthmus, 
the plant is called Portorico, and also Jipijapa; but the latter appellation is most common, and is difl"used 
all along the coast as far as Peru and Chile, while in Ecuador a whole district derives its name from it. 
The Jipijapa is common in Panama and Darien, especially in half-shady places ; but its geographical range 
is by no means confined to them." It is found all along the western shores of New Granada and Ecuador 
(Peru Alto) ; and I have noticed it even at Salango, where however it seems to reach its most southern 
limit, thus extending over twelve degrees of latitude, from the 10th north to the 2nd south. The Jipijapa, or 
Panama hats, are principally manufactured in Veraguas and AVestem Panama ; not all, however, known in 
conunerce by that name are plaited in the Isthmus ; by far the greater proportion is made in Manta, Monte 
Christi, and other parts of Ecuador. The hats arc worn almost in the whole American continent and the 
"West Indies, and would probably be equally used in Europe, did not their higli price, amounting often to 
w 
150 dollars for a single one, prevent their importation. They are diatinguislied from all others by con- 
sisting only of a single piece, and by their lightness and flexibility: they may be rolled up and put into 
the pocket without injury. In the rainy season they arc apt to get black ; but by washing them with soap 
and water, besmearing them with lime-juice or any other acid, and exposing them to the sun, their white- 
ness is easily -restored. So little is known about these hats, that it may not be deemed out of place to 
insert here a notice of their manufacture. The "straw" (paja), previous to plaiting, has to go through 
