126 PALM TREES 



quired by its naturalization in America an aspect 

 differing somewhat from its characteristic features 

 when growing on the sea-shore, on the coral islands 

 of India and the Pacific. 



There it is of the greatest utility to man. It supplies 

 food and drink and oil. Its fibres are woven into 

 cordage and matting, and it even furnishes animal as 

 well as vegetable food, herds of swine being fed and 

 fattened entirely on its fruit. 



On the banks of the Amazon, on the contrary, we 

 see at once that it is in a foreign land. It flourishes 

 indeed with great luxuriance, but no part of it is applied 

 to any useful purpose, the fruit only being consumed as 

 an occasional luxury. In the towns and larger villages 

 where the Portuguese have settled it has been planted, 

 but among the Indians of the interior it is still quite 

 unknown. 



