TO THE KEW MUSEUM. 175 
from it. I will try to send you hereafter a longer piece of rope than 
this, which I have procured here after a long search.— This is the 
strongest sort of cordage made in Brazil, and is principally used for 
suspending hammocks. 
43, Twine called “ Maqueira," made of the fibre of the leaf of the 
Tucum palm (Astrocaryum vulgare, Mart.). Of this are made the 
hammocks which some travellers have called ** grass hammocks.” There 
are several of them on sale at Santarem, but I shall procure them 
cheaper and better at and above the Barra, where they are made. 
44. Müra-cuatiára, called also Pao rajado, streaked wood. Rio 
Branco. The most esteemed of the cabinet-woods of the province of 
Pará. I send a piece polished, and also a rough slab; the latter might 
be worked up into something, and polished, if you choose. 
45. Miira-pinima, or Pao pintado, painted or spotted wood. Rio 
Branco. A beautifully marked wood, but of exceeding hardness. Like 
= most of the hard woods of this country, it is almost constantly perfo- 
rated by insects, while some of the softer woods, such as the cedar, 
which have a strong smell and a bitter taste, are never touched by 
them. 
46. Müra-piranga, or Pao verinelho, ved wood. Shore of the Amazon, 
opposite Santarem. This takes a high polish, and is in great request 
for walking-sticks. It is sometimes of a deep blood-colour. 
47. Bark of the Pao d’ Arco, for cigars. (Prepared near the Barra 
do Rio Negro.) Two cigars and a roll of fifty strips of bark. This 
has only lately come into use. It is considered superior to Tanaré 
for cigars, and the inner white surface bears writing on exceedingly 
well, A French gentleman here is about to export a quantity of it to 
France. ‘ 
48. Wood of a Cassia, Herb. no. 916. Santarem, by the Amazon. 
Twining to the top of the highest trees. TT 
49. Caraná palm (Mauritia aculeata, Humb.) Near Santarem, in 
low marshy situations. - Two portions of stems and six spadices, From 
the fruit of this palm an inferior wine is made. The stems, which 
rarely reach 30 feet in height, are put to the same uses as those of 
most other species; here they are much used in the construction of 
houses, strips cuts from their circumference being fastened crosswise 
to the upright poles, and the interval then filled with mud. The 
palmate leaves are so unwieldy that I do not send any; especially — v 
