66 FOOD FOR THE TROPICS 



Toddy is obtained from this palm. 



The central part of the trunk contains a sago like flour, 

 called " ipuruma ; " and Humboldt considered it very 

 agreeable. 



The fruit is covered with narrow scales resembling pine 

 cones, and yields different articles of food, according to 

 the time when it is gathered — saccharine when fully 

 matured and farinaceous when immature. On the Amazon 

 River a favourite beverage is prepared from the fruit by 'j 

 soaking a quantity in water till it begins to ferment, and 

 the scales and pulpy matter soften and can be rubbed off. 

 When strained through a sieve the liquor is ready, and has 

 a slightly acid taste. Aublet says that bread is made from 

 the large kernel in the stone of the fruit. 



In British Guiana, fans and baskets are made from the 

 split leafstalk, and sandals of the leafstalks. Tibisiri fibre, 

 the cuticle (or skin) of the young leaves, being very strong 

 and durable, is used for making hammocks. 



Buriti Palm 



(Mauritia vlnifera) 



This Palm is found in great abundance in Brazil, especially 

 in the swamps of Piauhy and Goyaz, and is called Buriti. 

 The *' Guide to the Museum of Economic Botany," No. 2, 

 at Kew Gardens, on p. 43, calls it the Wine Palm of Para, 

 describing it as "a tall graceful palm with cylindrical 

 trunk, from which a kind of wine (toddy) is obtained by 

 cutting down the tree and making several holes about 

 6 inches square, 3 inches deep, and about 6 feet apart. 



