278 



THE CARNAUBA PALM. 



part of tlie trunk. At Ceara and the surrounding country, where it 

 never rains for six months in the year, that is in the season called 

 spring by the natives, the carnauba pushes forth its most vigorous 

 strength when the season is dry and destitute of water. At the time 

 of the greatest aridity and desolation, corresponding with the winter of 

 the temperate zones, forests of carnaubas flourish, blossom, and ripen 

 their fruit. This singular plant is so proof to heat that it can sup- 

 port without injury tbe action of fii'e, for the flames which may destroy 

 the useless parts, only make it grow more vigorously subsequently. 

 In the times of the greatest drought the people give themselves up 

 with ardour to the collection of the products from the carnauba, which 

 in those times yield new and increased resources. The most im- 

 portant of these products is the wax. Early in the century Manuel 

 Antonio di Macedo discovered at Ceara the carnauba wax. But 

 although he pointed out the means of obtaining the wax, no persons 

 appear to have occupied themselves about it. It would seem that the 

 discovery dates before 1810, for it was in this year, and after the 

 description of the botanist AiTuda, that it commenced to be known, 

 and to produce a certain impression of novelty. The Brazilian 

 authorities were not slow to give to it the importance it merited. 



The greater part of the wax obtained is used in Brazil, where it is 

 employed in its raw state for lighting. In making it into candles, a 

 small quantity of tallow is added. No one is seriously occupied in the 

 scientific improvement of this product, which might become an article 

 of considerable commercial importance. Meanwhile, a few makers of 

 candles from carnauba wax at Ceara have recourse to certain processes 

 by which they obtain a slightly improved product, but in general the 

 candles made of it in Brazil are of a very inferior quality. They are 

 most used for household purposes, especially for lighting kitchens. 

 In fact, these candles produce the cheapest light that can be ob- 

 tained. In comparing their illuminating power, the advantage is 

 chiefly in the extraordinary duration of these candles, as the price is 

 not higher than that of those made with other materials. Candles 

 made with carnauba wax in the crude state give off in burning a 

 perfume which is not disagreeable. As the discovery of this wax 

 only dates from the early part of the century, it received little 

 attention till after 1846, resulting from the great drought of the 

 previous year. 



The following gives the exports from the port of Ceara : 



Year. 



Quantity. 



Official Value. 



1846 

 1856 

 1860 



lbs. 

 52,416 

 83,808 

 136,192 



£ 



694 

 2,075 

 3,371 



From the port of Aracati there was also shipped in 1858, 

 1,124,320 lbs., valued at 38,055Z. From special information it 

 appears that the minimum export from these two ports in 1862 was 

 1,440,000 lbs., and the quantity consumed in the province of Ceara 



