DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF LACE. 361 



hats, which are all made on the west coast of South America between 

 Buenaventura and Callao. "They are called Panama hats because 

 Panama is the market of distribution." 



In u The Capitals of Spanish America," by Mr. Curtis, who is recog- 

 nized as the highest authority upon all subjects referred to therein, 

 statements are made on page 638, as follows : 



The men are very skillful in the use of tools and in the manufacture of gold and 

 silver ornaments, and the women make a very fine lace which is called Nanduty. 

 The lace-making art was taught the women by the Spanish nuns. They do not use 

 cotton thread, hut the very fine fibers of a. native tree, which are as soft and lustrous 

 as silk. Some of their designs are very beautiful, and the fabric is indestructible. 

 Lopez had his chamber walls hung with this lace, on a background of crimson satin, 

 and the pattern was an imitation of the finest cobweb. It is said to have required the 

 work of 200 women for several years to cover the walls, and that every one of those 

 women was a discarded mistress of the despot. The lace is fastened to the wall by 

 clamps of solid gold of the most unique workmanship. There are 400 of the clamps, 

 each worth from $12 to $15." 



In regard to the above reference to Panama hats, it should be noted 

 that the true Panama hats are made from the split leaves of Carludovica 

 palmata. It is to be regretted that the name of the botanical species 

 of plant used in the manufacture of this lace could not be given, as the 

 n&mepita is used for so many different fibers. [See Pita in catalogue, 

 Ed.] The Xanduty lace differs from some other laces in being made in 

 small squares and joined together. 



In addition to the fibers above mentioned the writer possesses some 

 specimens of lace made of the fiber of the aloe from Corfu and Zante. 

 Eeference may also be made to the aloe lace wrought by the women of 

 Fayal, and referred to in this work under Agave americana. 



White lace may be made of flax, cotton, silk, wool, ramie, and pos- 

 sibly other fibers; flax and cotton are rarely colored. Almost all black 

 lace is silk or wool, or possibly ramie, though as yet this fiber has not 

 come into general use. 



