72 TEANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Sess. lviii. 



rotates it outwards and upwards. Thus loosened from its 

 attachment, it falls down flat upon the proboscis and sticks 

 firmly. With the slightest touch, the protecting cap is 

 knocked off, and we have left, attached to the proboscis, the 

 eight pollinia. On introducing the proboscis into another 

 flower these naturally touch and adhere to the sticky 

 stigmatic surface. 



EULOPHIA MACULATA, Echb. f. 



Hab. — Eio Pilcomayo. 



Onciduim pumilum, Lindl. 

 Hab. — Rio Pilcomayo. 



Stenoehynchus oechioides, Piich. 

 Hab. — Eio Pilcomayo. 



Thalia geniculata, L. 

 Hab. — Eio Pilcomayo. 



Canna coccinea, Ait. ? 



Hab. — Eio Pilcomayo. 

 Canna glauca, L. 



Hab. — Eio Pilcomayo. 



Bromelia aegentina. Baker. (Uvika, Kalyite). 



This species of Bromelia, with leaves about 5 feet in 

 length, is much used by the Chaco Indians as a source 

 of fibre, of which they make cord and rope, and also coarse 

 cloth. Around Fortin Page it did not occur at all, but 

 existed in considerable quantities about four days' journey 

 to the N.W. The fibre is obtained from the dried and 

 withered leaves by simply peeling off the upper and lower 

 epidermis. The fibre is one of very considerable tenacity, 

 being quite equal or superior to jute, and it is characterised 

 by its high specific gravity, and especially by its wonderful 

 damp-resisting powers. 



A note has recently been published upon this species in 

 the " Kew Bulletin," under the name of Karaguata. It, 

 however, ought to be pointed out that Karaguata is a 

 generic name applied in Guarani to almost all large 

 Bromelia-like plants — for instance there is the Karaguata 

 guazu or Great Karaguata, and the Karaguatd ii or Water 

 Karaguata, and many others. To Bromdia argcntina, 

 however, one scarcely ever hears a Paraguayan apply the 



