262 THE GKEEN-TAILED SYLPH. 



agility of monkeys. Here they are often obliged 

 to remain for some time ; and they suspend their 

 mats in the boughs, and take up their abode 

 literally with the monkeys. 



And a curious sight it is, to those on board 

 some vessel sailing up the river, to behold the 

 twinkling of lights in the tree-tops. The lights 

 are kindled by the Indians in their aerial dwell- 

 ings. 



Another palm grows in the territory of New 

 Granada, that is of equal service to man. 



Its leaves are very large, and are used to thatch 

 the native huts. But it is the nut that yields the 

 substance to which I refer. 



It yields a clear tasteless juice, that is refreshing 

 as a beverage in that hot climate ; but if it is 

 allowed to remain untouched, it soon becomes 

 white and milky, and in the end sets hard and 

 solid, like ivory. 



This is the vegetable ivory of which so many 

 toys and fancy articles are made. If the vege- 

 table ivory is put in water it will soften ; but on 

 being taken out, it quickly becomes hard again. 



