A TliTj^ TO MOTE M ATN LAN 0. 
the midrib in various directions and being themselves curled and 
waved, give the whole mass of foliage a singularly plumy appear- 
ance/” The fruit is the size of an apricot, of a triangular oval 
shape and fine reddish-yellow colour. In most instances the seed 
is abortive^ the whole fruit being a farinaceous mass.” 
This Palm appears to be indigenous to the countries near 
the Andes. On the Amazon and llio Negro, it is’never found 
wild. It is mentioned by Ilumbolt’s as having a smooth polished 
stem, which is a mistake.” With this last conclusion of the clever 
author of the above quotations I am compelled to disagree as I 
found numerous trees of the smooth-stemmed variety growing in 
the same district, thus confirming Ilumboit’s observation. Though 
producing fruit identical with each other, there is a difference in 
the character of the foliage, which would by some be considered 
of sufficient importance, to warrant a specific distinction being 
made. The Palm according to Ilumbolt, was known to the 
YeiiezUelan Indians under the name of Pirijao.” It is most 
commonly knowm as the Peach Palm’” from the similarity of 
its fruit, in size and colour to some species of the genus 
Amygdalus, to which the almond, peach and nectarine belong. 
The fruits are eaten either boiled or roasted and have a 
flavour^ — to our taste — combining that of roasted Spanish chest- 
nut and sweet potato. As they were said to be very wholesome 
I ate several, and though I found them very satisfying on 
account of the quantity of starch they contained, yet neverthe- 
less their flavour was keenly enjoyed. They are said by Wal- 
lace in the aforementioned work to be also groundup into flour 
and made into cakes which are roasted like cassava bread ; or 
the meal is fermented in water and forms a subacid creamy li- 
quid. Parrots, Macaws and Monkeys eat them greedily, but the 
latter gentry in wild state are prevented from obtaining 
them by the prickly nature of the stem,” though this fact 
would not apply to the non-aculeated variety and possibly 
accounts for its greater scarcity. The trees were growing at 
sea level, and as the temperature is similar, I believe it 
would be an excellent plant to introduce for glowing on the 
plains of Jamaica, especially in such districts as Black Piver 
and the plains of St, Elizabeth. Only a few^ seeds were ob- 
tainable and these have been carefully pdaced under suitable 
conditions for germination, but in the season, large quanti- 
ties could be procured. As an article of food, it would certainly 
be a valuable plant to the poorer inhabitants of this Island, pro"-, 
vided they Vould be induced to overcome their invariable preju- 
dice against Buckra tings.” The fruit will stand transport 
with great facility when ripe. I had a single one wEnch I kept 
