CORRESPONDENCE. 265 
considerable abundance. It is sold on the banks of the river for 15s. 
the ton, and at San Miguel de Tocuyo for £1. 1s. to £1. 4s. per ton. 
The tree yielding the so-called “ Balsam of Tolu” (Myrospermum 
toluiferum) is sufficiently common to be of commercial importance. 
he natives call it ** Balsamo,” and attach great value to the resin ob- 
tained from the pods. The resin exuding from the stem now sells in 
London at the rate of 4s. per pound. An allied species, known as 
Sereipo in the country (Myrospermum frutescens), is equally common. 
The balsam produced by this tree is entirely neglected. The wood 
has, however, been exported; and Mr. Polly, of Porto Caballo, was 
named to me as one of those who sent considerable quantities of it to 
Hambuig. The Castor-oil plant, or Tartago (Ricinus communis and 
R. inermis), is seen about all the settlements, and supplies the inhabi- 
tants with oil for their lamps, the wicks of which are made of home- 
grown cotton. It seems to be the only oil-yielding plant of the 
district, of which I noticed three distinct varieties. Sarsaparilla 
(Smilax sp.) is seen wherever the forest is not too thick; and a species 
of Vanilla (Vanilla sp.), somewhat inferior to the cultivated one, yet 
sufficiently good for export), is frequently met with, and, to some 
extent, collected by the natives. In times of scarcity the people make 
bread of the root-stock of a palm-like plant (Zamia muricata), and 
they also eat the farinaceous root-stock of a white Water-lily (Nymphaea 
ampla), which they call “ Naya.” About Guadima and the upper hills 
all the streams are full of water-cresses. Crin vegetal, or Vegetable 
Horsehair (Tillandsia usneoides), covers some of the trees in the greatest 
profusion, and is used for stuffing sofas, mattresses, cushions, etc. The 
fruits cultivated are,—nisperos, bananas, plantains, tamarinds, papaws, 
soursops, breadfruit, cocoa-nut, cacao, coffee, etc. e esculent roots 
principally grown are,—sweet potatoes, yams, taros, cassava root (two 
kinds) ete. The only grain I noticed was Indian corn, or maize.— 
B. Seemann, Report on the Tocuyo Estate of Venezuela, p. 21... 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
The Corona of Nareissus. 
Mr. W. G. Smith's views on the morphological nature of the corona of Nar- 
cissus, as laid before the Botanical Congress, and subsequently published in the 
