087 



is taken has saline properties, is manufactured from the Majagua de 

 playa {Paritium tiliaceum, Adr. Juss.). The Barrigon [Pachira Ba- 

 vigon^ Seem.) and the Malagueto hembra {Xylopia frutescens, Aubl.) 

 also yield a fibi'e fit for ropes. The hammocks of Veraguas consist 

 of the fibres of the Cabuya [Agave sp.) and those of a palm called 

 Chonta. A strong fibre is contained in the leaves of the Pita de za- 

 pateros [Bromelia sp), which is prepared like flax, woven into bags, 

 or chacaras, by different Indian tribes, and extensively used by shoe- 

 makers for sewing. The fibre surrounding the wood of the Cucua or 

 Naraagua forms a close texture of regular natural matting, which the 

 natives soak in water, beat and make into garments, beds and ropes, 

 or use as sails for their canoes. The mats which the poorer classes 

 have to sleep upon are manufactured from the fibre of plantain leaves 

 {Musa paradisiaca, Linn.). 



" Numerous vegetable substances are applied to miscellaneous pur- 

 poses. An infusion of the leaves of the Te {Corchorus siliquosus, 

 Linn.) is drunk instead of tea, and a similar preparation may be made 

 from those of the Freziera theoides, Swartz, a shrub common on the 

 volcana of Chiriqui. The aerial roots of the Zanora {Iriartea exor- 

 rhiza, Mart.) being clad with numerous spines are used as graters, 

 and although they are not so fine as those supplied by art, yet fn a 

 country where, from the humidity of the climate, tin ones soon get 

 rusty, they are almost preferable. The natives chiefly employ them 

 when grating cocoa-nuts, which, boiled with rice, compose one of 

 their favourite dishes. The leaves of the Papayo {Carica Papaya^ 

 Linn.) are a substitute for soap. The wood of the Balsa [Ochroma 

 LagopuSy Swartz) being soft and light like cork, is used for stopping 

 bottles ; the never-sinking rafts, which at the discovery of South 

 America, caused such surprise among the early adventurers, w^ere then 

 constructed of it and are so still. The fruit of the Palo de velas or 

 candle-tree [Parmentia cereifera, Seem.) serves to fatten cattle. * * * 

 Oil is obtained from the fiuit of the Corozo Colorado {Elais melano- 

 cocca, Gaertn.), and wine, vinegar, food, habitations, clothing, and nu- 

 merous other necessaries of life from the different palms which inhabit 

 the country, 



" Nor is the flora destitute of plants which claim attention on ac- 

 count of their beauty, rarity, or singular configuration. The Espiritu 

 Santo or Holy Ghost plant {Peristeria elata, Hook.) bears a flower 

 resembling a dove, and is, like the Flor de semana santa, another 

 Orchidea, almost held in religious veneration, and eagerly sought for 

 when in blossom. The Biura [Petrtea volubilis, Jacq.) is a flower of 



