122 TlMEHRI. 
mid-ribs of the young branches are cut in thin slices, and after having 
been dried they are connected together with withes and bast, and serve 
as a sail for the Indian's canoe, or as a mat to sleep upon. They are 
used by the travelling entomologist as a substitute for cork to fix in- 
sects upon, or by those who are provided with strong beards, as razor 
straps. Of the greatest use are, however, the fibres of the young leaves, 
which are manufactured into thread and ropes, and they are of such a 
tenacity that the greater number of Indian tribes fabricate their beds 
and hammocks from it. The inhabitants of the Rio Negro make a 
trade of it, and a fine hammock is sold from 10 to 12 Milreis. Even in 
its decay the Murichi is of use, and affords a delicacy to the Indians 
which likewise many colonists do not refuse, mamely, the larvae of a 
large beetle ; the Curculio palmarum is found in large numbers in the 
pith when the trunk is near its decay, and which, when boiled or 
roasted, resemble in taste beef-marrow. This useful tree, which 
extends from the Llanos of Cumana to the western tributaries of the 
Rio Negro, and the mouth of the Amazon, or over an area of 550,000 
square miles, was appropriately called by father Gamilla, arbol de la 
vida, the tree of life ; and it is related at the Orinoco, that one of the 
kings of Spain, hearing of this wondrous tree, which at once furnished 
bed, bread, and wine, attempted its introduction into the mother country. 
The author wished to correct finally those who have written on this tree, 
in two points. It is firstly described as a tree scarcely 30 feet high, 
while it reaches sometimes a height of 120 feet, and its average size in 
Guiana is not less than 50 feet ; and next it is asserted that they 
are not to be found at a greater height than 800 feet, while the author 
has met them in numerous groups, and of a luxuriant growth, at a 
height of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea; but stridtly to its 
nature it grows likewise here in groups and in swampy soil." 
Guiana Orchids. — During the past year the "Gar- 
dener's Chronicle " has contained various notes on orchids 
from our colony. One of the most important additions 
made for some years to the orchid-houses of Europe is 
the magnificent Cattleya Law renceana , Rchb.f., procured 
by M. SE1DEL from the base of Roraima, contempora- 
neously with my visit to, and ascent of. that mountain. 
