38 PALM TREES 



downwards, and the spadices are small and simply 

 branched. 



The wood of this tree is very hard, heavy and black, 

 and is used by the Indians for making harpoons and 

 spears with which they hunt the cow-fish. The swollen 

 part of the stem is sometimes cut down and made into 

 a canoe, when one is required in a hurry ; otherwise it 

 is not made use of. 



The tree grows on the Upper Amazon and Rio Negro, 

 on hill sides and on the banks of brooks and springs ; 

 and the Indians say that wherever it abounds salsapa- 

 rilha will be found growing near. 



A fruit is represented on the Plate of the natural 

 size. 



