TO THE KEW MUSEUM. 1738 
the Amazon, between Santarem and Obidos. The whole height of this 
was 20 feet, and it was cut off close to the ground. The five pairs of 
ropes which hold it down to the earth would seem to be scarcely 
needed in the dry season; but in the wet season, when from 5 to 15 
feet of its stem are under water, and the river sweeps along with 
great fury, it is obvious that without their stay the plant must speedily 
be uprooted. The length of stem here sent is 7 feet 8 inches. Nearly 
the same length (having on it the bases of the crowded distichous 
leaves) was appropriated as a broomstick by an honest neighbour. 
Above this was the “ fréche,” the naked stalk of the panicle. Lastly, 
at the summit was the noble mane-like panicle, clad with myriads of 
purple-and-silver flowers. - 
35. Two work-baskets made at Villa Franca, on the Rio Tapajoz, of 
the leaves in the young shoot of the Tucamá Palm. 
36. A sort of basket (Balaio) made at Santarem, of the outer part 
of the stem of the Uarumd-miri. 
37. Two paddles made at Santarem, the one of Itaüba préta, the 
other of J/aióa amarella. 
38. Bow made of Péo d’ Arco by Mundrueü Indians, on the Rio 
Tapajoz. The string is made of the fibre of the leaf of a Bromeliaceous 
plant called Curaud, of whicl®I have not yet seen the flowers: pro- 
bably it is the same as the Cwrauya of Demerara (Bromelia Karata). 
Arrows made from the Arvore de Frécha. The one fitted up is such 
as the Tapuyas use at Santarem for killing fish. er 
39. Páo de Guaraná and Lingua de Pirarucá. Prepared chiefly by 
the Mauhé Indians (inhabiting the banks of the Rio Mauhé, which 
enters the Amazon between the Tapajoz and the Madeira), from the 
roasted and pounded seeds of the Guarana (Paullinia sorbilis, Mart.). 
It is used throughout the province of Para, and still more extensively in 
the mines of Cuyaba in Matto Grosso, in the preparation of a cooling. 
beverage, and as a supposed preventive of all manner of diseases, rather 
than as a remedy against any. “ Guaraná,” the drink, is thus prepared : 
of the powder obtained by grating one of the rolls on the bony tongue ——— 
of the fish called Pirarnct, about a table-spoonful is mixed with as 
much sugar in a goblet-glass nearly filled with water. Taken in this 
way, its properties seem to be slightly stimulant; I have drunk much 
of it, and a glass has much the same effect on me as a cup of tea or 
coffee would have. When used, as it sometimes is, as a remedy for. = ier 
