264 — CORRESPONDENCE. 
them to botanists, and by supplying lecturers with specimens for de- 
monstration. M. Gérard maintained that it was Lemma arrhiza, but 
we were inclined to think that it was most likely only a very young 
state of Lemna minor, for the difference in the fructification between 
the two plants had not then been described ; and though M. Gérard 
had brought me Lemna minor in flower, the Lemna arrhiza was not in 
that state, or at least the stamens were not to be seen when J received 
it.— Yours, etc., 
J. E. Gray. 
VEGETABLE PRODUCTS OF THE TOCUYO RIVER. 
There are several species of indigenous Palms, and one, the Cocoa- 
nut, is cultivated to some extent. Nearly all the houses are thatched 
with the leaves of the Palma redonda (Copernicia tectorum), and from 
the same material straw hats are made. An excellent beverage, re- 
sembling champagne, and quite as intoxicating, is made of the Palma 
or Corozo de vino (Acrocomia sclerocarpa) by felling the trunk, and 
cutting a hole just below the crown of the leaves. When I was at 
Guadima, the people had cut down several of these spiny Palms in 
order to supply themselves with “wine” for the Easter holidays. 
More useful still is the Mapora, or Cabbage Palm (Oreodoza oleracea), 
which attains sixty feet in height, and is one of the leading trees on the 
banks of the Tocuyo. The young leaves yield an excellent cabbage, 
which is so highly esteemed in the West Indies, where the tree has be- 
come scarce, that they are sent as acceptable presents from one island 
to another. The full-grown leaves are used for thatching, but by far 
the greatest value of this Palm consists in the wood, which is esteemed 
in Venezuela for shingling. A full-grown tree, I am told, will often 
yield 100 planks (each 6-7 varas long and 1 inch thick), and 100 of 
these planks sell, on the banks of the river, for 36s., and in Porto 
Cabello for £3 or £3. 15s. One of the most common trees is the 
Mora (Broussonetia, or Morus tinctoria), which yield the dyewood 
known as Fustie in commerce. A ton of this wood brought to the 
river bank is paid for in Tocuyo at the rate of £1. 4s. (8 pesos del 
pays), and fetches in Liverpool from £5 to £6. It is a quickly grow- 
ing tree of middle size, only the heart of which is used, and the fruit 
is eaten by the children. Guayacan (Guaiacum officinale) is found in 
