BOTA NY. 



The Indians have a... method of climbing these trees 

 for the fruit, by placing two large hoops loosely round 

 the trunk, into the lowest of which they place -tin ir 

 legs, as far as the knee, and then raise themselves by 

 the upper one, placing it at the utmost extent of their 

 arms ; at other times by shooting an arrow to which 

 is fixed a rope, over the highest branches of the tree. 



We do not find that the Seeds of this Tree have 

 as yet been brought to Europe. 



There has been a considerable difference in the opinion 

 of Naturalists, as to the distinctive characters of the Palm 

 Tree; some Botanists having proposed that these should 

 be referred to the Genus Ilexandria, and the Genus Poly- 

 gamia wholly abolished. The Fig certainly differs so much 

 from the Palms (by having its blossoms placed within the 

 receptaculum), that it seems rather absurd to place them 

 together ; nevertheless as all artificial systems must be subject 

 to some objections and contradictions, it seems better to 

 leave the matter as.it is laid down by the great Linnaeus, 

 than to abridge the number of the Genera, already spe- 

 cified, as Dr. Thornton in his late Work has attempted, 

 perhaps without sufficient reason. If any alteration were 

 considered as adviseable in the Botanical system of the 

 illustrious Swede, it would be better perhaps to enlarge than 

 diminish the number of the Genera, as new discoveries of 

 events are constantly made which do not readily reconcile 

 themselves to the present established Genera. 



