APPEND.] 



CAROA. 



343 



USES. 



The leaves of this plant are composed of two segments, 

 one exterior and convex, and the other interior and con- 

 cave; the former is more compact and hard, the latter 

 is thinner; between them is to be found a quantity of 

 longitudinal fibres, of the same length as the leaves, 

 fixed in a juicy pulp. These fibres are strong, and from 

 them cordage may be made, and even coarse cloth, if care 

 is taken in preparing the thread. This may the more 

 easily be done, from the enormous quantities which 

 nature affords without the aid of cultivation. The inha- 

 bitants of the banks of the river St. Francisco weave their 

 fishing nets of these fibres. 



There are two methods of obtaining the fibres of the 

 caroa. 1st. Having taken the leaf from the plant (which 

 is easily done), the convex side of it should be clipped at 

 the bottom with a knife, and with the other hand, the 

 fibres pulled out, some force being necessary. They 

 will bring with them a quantity of vegetable liquid, with 

 which the pulp is soaked. For this reason the above 

 manner of obtaining the thread is called ensuar o caroa, 

 to sweat the caroa. The fibre which is thus extracted 

 is green, and it is necessary to wash it, for the purpose 

 of cleaning it. 2d. The leaves being taken from the 

 plant, and being tied up in bundles, should be thrown 

 into water, where they must be allowed to remain for 

 four or five days ; then they should be taken out to be 

 beaten in bunches, that the hammers or mallets may not 

 cut the fibres. This operation will not be sufficient to 

 separate it from the pulp, but it will be necessary to tie 

 it up again in bundles, and to steep it for two days or 

 more, at the close of which the beating should be re- 

 newed ; it must be yet a third time put into water, and 

 z 1< 



