49 



Continued on the lower shelf of Case 61, observe fruits of CASE 

 ElcEis melanococca, Gaert A palm of Central America, a 61. 

 spadix of which is shown in the lower portion of the Table 

 Case opposite. 



Observe Noli, or scurf scraped from the leaf-stalk of E. 

 melanococca, used as tinder in New Grenada. 



Note also fruits of Diplothemium caiidescens, Mart., and D. 

 maritimumy Mart, 



No. 126. Fruits of the Cohune Palm (Attalea CohunCy 

 Mart.), a native of Honduras and Guiana. The fruits 

 are about the size of a large hen's egg, and grow in clusters. 

 The kernel, when fresh, is said to have a flavour similar to that 

 of the cocoa nut, but more oleaginous. This oil is sometimes 

 expressed in British Honduras and used for illuminating 

 purposes. A sample of the oil is shown. 



Note fruits of Curua Palm {Attalea spectahilisy Mart.), a 

 stemless palm of the Rio Negro, the leaves of which are used 

 for thatching. 



No. 127. CoQUiLLA Nuts, the hard, bony fruits of 

 Attalea funifertty Mart., a Brazilian Palm, growing to a height 

 of from 20 to 30 feet, with very large and rigid leaves, the 

 bases of the petioles of which are sheathed in coarse fibre, 

 which forms some of the Piassaba or Bass of commerce. Co- 

 quilla nuts are of a dark brown colour, sometimes mottled, and 

 are extremely hard, taking a high polish. They are largely 

 used fot* turnery work, as well as for knobs for drawers, bell- 

 pulls, toys, &c. Some rosaries made from beads carved from 

 Coquilla nuts, humming tops, carved boxes, and bracelets, are 

 also shown. 



In the upper part of this Case is a spadix of A.funifera, CASE 

 from Bahia, and also an opened spathe. 62. 



No. 128. Portion of a base of a small stem of A.funifera^ 

 showing the strong fibrous bases of the leaves which, when 

 removed and cleaned, constitute Bahia Piassaba. (See Kew 

 Bulletin, 1889, pp. 237-242.) 



No. 129. Portion of a fibrous sheath as taken from the 

 trunk, opened to show the fibre. 



No. 130. Bass or Piassaba Fibre as imported.. 



No. 131. Fibre prepared or dressed for broom making. 



N O. 132. Finished Bass brooms or brushes. 



U 59453. jj 



