54 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



more consistent, with a sweet taste, and ultimately 

 perfectly solid, heavy and white as ivory. It softens 

 under water, but becomes hard on being removed ; 

 it is used for various ornaments, toys, cane-heads, 

 &c. The wood of the different palms is useful for 

 many purposes, and is extensively used for walking- 

 sticks, umbrella-staffs, and various other articles. 

 The palm oil may be extensively obtained, and it 

 not only burns well, but the odor of it is more 

 agreeable than otherwise ; in fact, the various uses 

 to which the products of the palm have been appro- 

 priated are almost innumerable. Yet it is not to be 

 supposed that any very great variety of them will 

 be observed at any one place, and especially not on 

 the Isthmus of Panama, although it is there almost 

 indispensable to the natives' subsistence and comfort. 





