106 PALM TREES 



fleocuosa. They strip off the epidermis and prepare it 

 in the same manner as described in the account of that 

 species, but while the " miriti " is principally used for 

 hammocks, the {t tucum " serves for bow strings, fish- 

 ing-nets and other purposes where fineness, combined 

 with strength, is required. Some of the tribes on the 

 Upper Amazon, however, make all their hammocks of 

 " tucum," which renders it probable that the Mauritia 

 ftexuosa does not grow there. 



The Brazilians of the Rio Negro and Upper Amazon 

 make very beautiful hammocks of fine " tucum " thread, 

 knitted by hand into a compact web of so fine a texture 

 as to occupy two persons three or four months in their 

 completion. They then sell at about £3 each, and 

 when ornamented with the feather-work borders, at 

 double that sum. Most of them are sent as presents to 

 Rio de Janeiro. 



Dr. Martius has mistaken the species from which 

 this cordage is manufactured, stating it to be the 

 " Tucuma," which, though very nearly allied, is never 

 used for the purpose. The close resemblance of the 

 native names is probably what led to the mistake, 

 though they are never confounded by the Brazilians. 



The " tucum " is found on the " terra firme " or dry 

 forest land of the Amazon and Rio Negro. It is grow- 

 ing in the Palm House at Kew. 



