APPEND.] 



MANDAPUCA. 



365 



cicopira, for ship-building. It grows well in the sandy 

 plains which are in Pernambuco called taboleiros, and 

 in Piauhi chapadas, therefore its cultivation would be 

 very advantageous in the taboleiros bordering the coast, 

 which are at present of no service. It has afforded 

 great assistance to the people in times of drought and 

 famine. 



Buriti, An Borassus ? — This species of palm is one 

 of the highest and most beautiful of trees; it grows 

 only in bogs and marshes ; the fruit is of the size of a 

 hen's egg, and of the same form ; it is of a red colour at 

 the time of maturation, and is covered with scales spirally 

 arranged. Under the scales is found a layer of oily 

 pulp of the same red colour, from which the inhabitants 

 of Piauhi obtain an emulsion ; when this is mixed with 

 sugar, it becomes a substantial drink, which is by no 

 means unpleasant. However, if it is used to excess, 

 the colour of the fruit is communicated to the surface of 

 the skin, and to the white of the eyes, producing the 

 appearance of jaundice, but without any injury to the 

 health. 



Maracuja Suspiro, Passiflora : — This is the finest 

 flavoured fruit of the genus ; it is called suspiro, because 

 one of them may be swallowed at once, leaving upon 

 the palate a most exquisite taste and a sweet smell. It 

 is to be found in the Serra de Beruoca, upon the borders 

 of Acaracii. * 



Mandapuca, Myrtus Scabra: — Arrud. Cent. Plant. 

 Pern. 



* In the neighbourhood of Goiana I saw a large piece of land 

 completely covered with the common Maracuja ; the owner of the 

 ground complained to me of the trouble which he should hare in 

 getting rid of the plant when he should wish to cultivate the land. — 

 Transl. 



