268 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF GUIANA INDIANS [ETH. ANN. 38 
When both lengths of runner are completed they are attached at 
their extremities to the rafters and so put on, one pair over the 
other, after the manner of huge wide tiles (fig. 79 A). Dallibanna 
leaves have to be placed in position within a day or so after cutting 
them, because on drying they crack, and therefore could not be 
looped over the runner. When scarce they can be used*in alternate 
rows with split manicol or turu leaves. The latter are split down 
the midrib and the two halves placed together at opposite ends, so 
that the pinnules cross in a sort of latticework, the two half midribs 
together acting as the runner (fig. 79 B). Dallibanna is to be seen 
on Taruma, Arawak, Carib, Akawai, and Makusi houses. 
322. Maximiliana regia Mart., the kokerit palm, can be used in 
two ways: The whole leaf is. cut into lengths of about 2 feet each 
ar (IAN 
WA AAS INN 
LONI RIS TOI INS) 
Fic. 80.—Kokerit palm-leaf cate 
and tied onto the runners from right to left, or vice versa, the lengths 
being made to slope alternately to the right and left (fig. 80 A, B). 
It may be used throughout the whole roof thatch or only around the 
circular portions at the front and back of the Makusi and Wapishana 
houses. The other way is to split the leaf down from the distal 
extremity of the midrib, then thin down its two halves with a knife, 
and finally tie them together at opposite ends so that they may be 
used as a rod or runner (C). In this manner the leaves may be 
used either by themselves or mixed with alternate layers of dalli- 
banna, as is seen in many Carib houses on the Barima, ete. When 
