THE PALMS OF AMERICA. 155 



an)' other. The stem is entirely covered with 

 huge scales, the ends of which turn outwards, 

 very much like the scales of an old fallen fir- 

 cone. These scales are nothing else than the 

 bases of the leaf stalks which remain after the 

 leaves are fallen away and have perished ; it will 

 be remembered that the stem of Elais guineensis 

 was described as being similarly clothed. But 

 the leaves form tlie distinguishing character of 

 this beautiful tree. They are palmate, as in 

 the other species of corypha, and exceedingly 

 numerous, and, including their petioles about six 

 feet long. They are collected together into an 

 enormous, globular head of leaves, which sur- 

 mounts the summit of the trunk of the palm, 

 giving it a most extraordinary appearance. The 

 leaf stalks are armed with strong thick spines ; 

 and from the surface of the leaf the wax exudes 

 in flakes, which are collected by the inhabitants, 

 and being mixed with bees' wax are employed 

 as an article of commerce, and also for various 

 domestic uses. The fruit is bitter, and gene- 

 rally rejected as an esculent ; the Indians, how- 

 ever, are said to rank them with their delicacies, 

 and to eat them either raw or cooked ; parrots 

 and monkeys greedily devour them. These 

 palms sometinles grow solitarily, and sometimes 

 are so numerous as to form dense woods. 



