ICO THE PALMS OF AMERICA. 



Mauritia aculeata is another species of the 

 same genus, discovered by Humboldt ia the 

 underwood and thickets of Guiana, where the 

 vegetation appears to be retarded by the con- 

 tinuance of the inundations. It is frequently 

 found in company with the palm next to be 

 mentioned. It is called by the Indians juria, or 

 caiivaja, and on the banks of the Atabapo and 

 the Terni is found growing in clumps of twelve 

 or fifteen, so close together that they appear to 

 be growing from the same root. We are not 

 aware that any part of this palm is applied to a 

 useful purpose, but it is mentioned on accoiuit 

 of a very remarkable circumstance in its ap- 

 pearance, namely, that the leaves are coloured 

 like a peacock's tail. The leaves are fan- 

 shaped, supported on short and very thick 

 trunks, and are bent towards the ground ; and 

 at the centre of every leaf, concentric circles ot 

 alternate blue and yellow appear, the yellow 

 prevailing towards the middle. It is also 

 formidably armed with strong short thorns, 

 ■which arc very hard and woody, and broad at 

 the base. 



Gidliclma speciosa'is the Pihijao, or Pihiguao, 

 which was also discovered by Humboldt growing 

 in abundance at San Fernando, San Balthasar, 

 Santa Barbara, and various other places toward 



