1G4: THE PALMS OF AMERICA. 



Joists for the roofs of cottages are made from 

 the spht stem; Avhile from the vcntricose or 

 bulging portion of it, entire boats are constructed. 

 For this purpose that part of the stem is spht 

 longitudinally into two equal portions ; the 

 medullary parts are then excavated, and the 

 sides still further thinned by the aid of fire, 

 thus forming a rude boat or canoe. The fronds 

 are employed as thatch to cover the roofs of 

 houses, and to form canopies for the sterns of 

 boats ; and the natives are accustomed, when 

 passing the night on the sandy islands uith 

 ■which those tropical rivers abound, on 

 the banks of which this palm grows, to place 

 three or four leaves, with their mid-ribs stuck 

 in the sand, over the head of each sleeper, 

 to defend him from the pestiferous dew of 

 the night. 



Of a very different appearance is Chccmcedorea 

 fmgiwis, a Peruvian palm, but (compared with 

 the generality of its congeners) of most dimi- 

 nutive stature. It is a reed- like plant, about 

 five or six feet liigh, and indeed, in appearance, 

 seems to recede from the character of its order, 

 and to approach that of the grasses. It is 

 called Chutassliinn by the Peruvians, and is 

 especially remarkable for exhaling a most 

 delicious fragrance, which is &o powerful as to 



