The fruit spike or spadix is either erect or drooping, either simple, forked, or many-branched; and the fruits in closely allied species vary in size, in shape, and in colour, as well as in the bloom, down, hairs or tubercles with which they are clothed. In this little work careful engravings from my original drawings are given, with a general description of each species, and a history from personal observation of the various uses to which it is applied, and of any other interesting particulars connected with it. Several of the species here figured are new, and among them is the Palm which produces the “piassába,” the coarse fibrous material of which brooms for street sweeping are now generally made. For the determination of the genera and species, and for that part of the Introduction relating to the botanical characters and geographical distribution of Palms, I am indebted to the magnificent work of Dr. Martius. To the botanist I trust my little book may be of some use, in giving accurate figures of many entire plants, of which he is only acquainted with small portions, and in supplying an account of the uses to which they are applied in the distant regions where they grow. And to the general reader I hope it may not be uninteresting, as exhibiting a glimpse of a wild and rude people in the lowest state of civilization, whose existence is intimately connected with the products of the surrounding forests, among which the plants under consideration hold so prominent a place; and of these it is hoped the accompanying Plates will give a more accurate idea than the stereotyped figures which often represent the “feathery palm trees” in our popular works. Some of the fruits of which I had no drawings, have been figured from specimens in the Museum at Kew collected by Mr. R. Spruce, who is still investigating the Botany of the Amazon valley. London, October 1853. LIST OF PLATES. Plate Map showing the distribution of Palms in America (_Frontispiece_) 1 Fruits of Palms, containing, 1. Raphia tædigera. 2. Mauritia flexuosa. 3. Manicaria saccifera. 4. Lepidocaryum tenue (all of the natural size) 2 5. Astrocaryum tucuma. 6. Leopoldinia pulchra. Fruits of Palms, containing, 1. Attalea spectabilis. 2. Maximiliana regia. 3. Spathe of Maximiliana regia (reduced) 3 4. Guilielma speciosa (all of the natural size). Leopoldinia pulchra 4 —— major 5 —— piassába 6 Euterpe oleracea 7 —— catinga 8