572 WONDERS OF THE FOREST. 



make it difficult to approach. Its bunches of bright chestnut- 

 brown fruit hang from between the leaves which form its 

 crown, each bunch about a foot in length, massive and com- 

 pact, like a large cluster of black Hamburg grapes. 



The syagrus palm has a greenish fruit, not unlike the olive 

 in appearance, which hangs in large, pendent bunches just 

 below the leaves. The fruit resembles somewhat that of the 

 bread-tree, but is more slender and cylindrical in form. 



The leaves of different kinds of palms are used for thatch- 

 ing the Indian huts, the curua palm among others. When 

 young, they grow closely round the mid-rib attached to the 

 axis by a few fibres only, so that when the mid-rib is held 

 up they hang from it like so many straw-coloured ribbons. 

 With these leaves both the walls and roofs are covered. 

 The mid-rib, which is strong, and sometimes four or five 

 yards long, is set across to serve as a support, and bind down 

 the pendent leaves. Such a thatch will last for years, and is 

 an excellent protection from rain as well as sun. 



The Indian furnishes himself with cups and vessels of all 

 sorts from the cuieira-tree (Crescentia cajeput). It is of im- 

 mense size, the fruit being like a gourd. It is spherical, of a 

 light green shining surface, and grows from the size of an 

 apple to that of the largest melon. It is filled with a soft 

 white pulp, easily removed when the fruit is cut in halves. 

 The rind is then alloAved to diy. Cups and basins of various 

 sizes are made from it, which the Indians adorn with a variety 

 of brilliant colours. 



One of the staple productions of the Upper Amazon is the 

 guarana. It is a trailing plant, a sort of vine ; when full- 

 grown, about eight feet high, and bearing a bean the size of a 

 coffee-bean, two being enclosed in each envelope. This bean, 



