274 



CANE-BRAKES. 



THE BAMBOO. 



Cane-brakes abound in this wild and lonely por- 

 tion of the globe. They extend for many miles, 

 and are often rendered nearly inaccessible by the 

 density of their growth. Mention has been made 

 concerning the Bamboo, of which they principally 

 consist; in one place, as yielding silex; in another, 

 as affording an excellent pasturage for cattle*; to 

 which it may be added, that bamboos grow sponta- 

 neously over the greater portion of the western dis- 

 tricts of America, as well as in many others further 



* See pages 28 and 73. 



