THE PAMPAS. 



181 



the holly tribe. It grows wild in all the woods 

 near the rivers and streams of Paraguay. It is 

 an evergreen, with elliptical leaves, and the stem 

 will grow to the size of a man*s thigh. To bring 

 this Paraguay tea into use, the leaves are slightly 

 scorched by drawing the branch itself through 

 the fire. Then the leaves are roasted, broken 

 up, and pressed for packing. The Spaniards 

 derived the custom of taking this tea from the 

 Indians. A calabash serves for a teacup, into 

 which, after a pinch of the leaves is put, boiling 

 water is poured, and the infusion is then sucked 

 into the mouth through a hollow silver, tin, 

 or cane tube, which is called a bombillio. 

 The common joke of the country is, to in- 

 duce a stranger to apply the metal instru- 

 ment to his mouth unthinkingly; for if the 

 operation is not cautiously managed, the novice 

 is sure to repent his rashness. Not only is the 



