BRAZILIAN CIGARS. 307 



is dark-colored, firm and strong, clinging with tenacity to the 

 cigar, which is the best evidence of the quality of the leaf. 

 In Paraguay they are considered superior to all other kinds 

 and are smoked continuously without any seemingly ill effect. 

 Page alludes to the custom of smoking as being universal, 

 "Men, women, and children delicate, refined girls, and 

 youngsters who would not with us be promoted to the dignity 

 of pantaloons smoke with a gravity and gusto that is 

 irresistibly ludicrous to a foreigner." The Paraguayans 

 consider excessive smoking of other tobacco as injurious but 

 not of the delicate flavored leaf of Paraguay. These cigars 

 are rolled firm and strong usually small and hold fire until 

 the entire cigar has been consumed. 



GUATEMALA CIGAES. 



This variety of cigars, although of excellent flavor, is 

 hardly known outside of Central America. They are made 

 from Guatemala tobacco one of the few varieties of tobacco 

 bearing white blossoms, and possessed of a similar flavor to 

 Mexican tobacco. Although Guatemala tobacco has not 

 been thoroughly tested by the great manufacturers of cigars 

 either in Europe or America, it doubtless is well suited for 

 cigars. It is a distinct variety from those kinds bearing^ 

 pink and yellow blossoms, and its growth and quality would 

 seem to suggest some doubt as to its quality and adaptability 

 for cigars. Stephens and other travelers seem to regard it 

 as tobacco of excellent quality, and allude to its constant 

 use by the ladies who smoke puros, a cigar made of a single 

 leaf, or formed entirely of tobacco. They also use the pape- 

 lotes wrapped in paper and sometimes in the dried leaf of 

 maize. It would seem probable from the climate of Cen- 

 tral America, that Guatemala tobacco would be exactly 

 suited for the manufacture of cigars, but so little is known 

 concerning it, and its cultivation is so limited, that at present 

 it is simply a matter of conjecture. 



BEAZ1LIAIST CIGAKS. 



< The cigars of Brazil, like those made of South American 



