CHAPTER XVI. 



WONDEES OF THE FOREST. 



JF the palms alone, upwards of a hundred species are 

 found in these forests. These supply the Indian 

 with nearly all he wants to support existence. 

 Their fruit, or pith, or crowns, furnish him with an abun- 

 dance of food. He builds his hut and floors it with their 

 wood, and thatches it with their leaves. From the trunks 

 of some species he forms his canoes, of different sizes. He 

 obtains from them oil, cord, thread, wine or a beverage 

 which answers the purpose wax, mats, baskets, arrows for 

 his sumpitan or bow, and numberless other articles. Pure, 

 clear oils are made from some of the nuts and palm fruits ; 

 while many palms yield a fibrous material admirably suited 

 for cordage, being singularly elastic and resistant. 



From the curious candella-tree, called by the Spaniards 

 arbol de la manteca, by the Indians cuajo, he obtains tallow 

 for candles and excellent oil for lamps, and a beverage which 

 is made from its fruit. 



The cow-tree supplies a milk in appearance like that of 

 the animal from which it takes its name, but thicker. On 

 analyzing this product, it is found to consist of water, animal 



