190 



To tlir Ki\ er Plate .m<l B.ii k 



growth indigenous to the tropical forests of the southern 

 half of the continent. The young leaves and terminal 

 buds are collected, and when dried and packed in bales 

 are extensively exported from the regions where the 

 plant is common to the southern parts of the country, 



where it does not occur. The 

 principal supply is derived from 

 Paraguay, northern Uruguay, 

 and southern Brazil. The primi- 

 tive method of preparing the 

 infusion is to put a few of the 

 leaves in the bottom of a small 

 gourd, in which the bombilla is 

 then placed. In its crudest form 

 the bombilla is a reed or thin 

 joint of bamboo, over the lower 

 end of which a few horsehairs 

 have been woven, or a small bit 

 of loose cloth has been tied. In 

 its more advanced and mechani- 

 cally perfect form it is a tube 

 closed at the lower end except 

 for a number of small perfora- 

 tions. Its latest development, 

 represented in the accompanying 

 cut (Fig. 15), is the product of 

 the art of the silversmith, and 



Fig. 15. Silver-mounted . , t_- i. t. 



and carved ,*.*-goiird and COI1S1StS f a tube > whlch haS at 



bombilla. nat. size. the bottom a spoon-like expan- 



sion, covered with a little lid, 



which is perforated by numerous small openings. The 

 bombilla corresponds in its use to the straws which are 

 employed in the act of imbibing mint-juleps and 

 similar drinks. After the bombilla has been placed 



