MISCELLAXEOUS ECOXOMIC PRODUCTS 



527 



to neighbouring countries. According to DR. WILLIS, Director of 

 Botanic Gardens, Rio de Janeiro, the export of Mate from Brazil 

 alone in 1911 was about 139 million pounds, valued at nearly 

 2 million pounds sterling, averaging over 3d. per Ib. In preparing 

 the leaves for use, they are first partly dried in the sun near the 

 place where they are gathered, then toasted, which latter process 

 requires practically all the skill necessary in the preparation of the 

 product. The leaves must be dried thoroughly and evenly, without 



AYAPAXA TEA. Enpatoriiim Ayapnnn. 



scorching ; they are then usually ground small and packed solidly 

 into bags for market. An infusion from the leaves, which is 

 customarily drunk from the spout of a tea-pot, or sometimes 

 through a tube with a net-work at the bottom, called the bombilla, 

 is the favourite drink of a large proportion of the population of 

 Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the Argentine Republic, etc. The 

 leaves contain a small percentage of caffeine, and are occasionally 

 imported into Europe. The plant was introduced in 1897 to 

 Peradeniva, where it has been found to thrive under ordinary 



