The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-04-30
The Carnauba Palm.

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for it a more extended notice. 1t is
most extensively found in the prov
ince of Ceara. although it is met
with in several others of the north
ern districts of Brazil, either isolated
or aggregated in immense forests.
The stem, (stipe) completely round
and straight, attalns the height of 48
1eet, and thickness ranging between
one foot and one foot and half in
circumference. The upper part of
the stem contains a medullary sub
stance (parenchyma), which gives
forth the leaves. The terminal bud
palmetto, or cabbage paIm) furnishes
delicate and substantial food. In
springing from the head of the stem,
the leaves, to the number of six or
eight, cross each other perpendicu-
larly, united together by lnastIc or
coating which holds them firmly to-
gether. The petioles remain sepa-
rate, but the leaves reunite at the
top and form round, fringed body.
The interior of the young groups of
the leaves is clear yellow. At this
stage of their development the leaves
transude dry pulverulent ash-col-
ored substance, which covers their
interior surface and exhales partic.
ular but agreeable odor. This sub
stance is a vegetable wax; it is de-
tached from the leaves by the least
shock when they begin to open, but
when the tan is expanded, the simple
movement produced by the wind is
sufficient to cause this powdery sub
stance to disappear. The carnauba
palm delights in dry localities, or, at
least, ground which remains dry the
greater part Of the year; and yet it
will stand perfectly the prolonged
foundations of water provided that
they do not cover completely the
whole lower part of the 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 car
nauba 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 car
naubas flourish, blossom and ripen
their fruit. This singular plant is so
proof to heat that 1t can support
without injury the action of fire, 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 ar.
dour to the collection OF the products
from the carnauba, which, in those
times, yield new and increased re-
sources. The most important OF
these products is the wax. Early In
the century Manuel Antonio di Ma
cedo discovered, at Ceara, the car
nauba wax. But, although he point
ed out the means of obtaining the
wax, no persons appear to have oc.
cupied themselves about it. Itwould
seem that the discovery dates before
1910, for it was in this year, and
after the description of the botanist
Arruda, that it commenced to be
known, and to produce certain i'm
preston Of novelty. The Brazilian
authorities were not slow to give to it
the Importance it merited.
The greater part of the wax OBJ
tanned is used in Brazil, where it is
employed in its raw state for light
ing. In making it into candles, a
small quantity of tallow is added.
No one is seriously occupied in the
scientific improvement of this prod
uct, which might become an article
of considerable commercial lmpor-
lance. Meanwhile, few makers of
candles from carnauba wax at Ceara
have recourse to certain processes by
which they obtain slightly i'm
proved product, but in general the
candles made Of it in Brazil are OF
a very interior quality. They are
most used for household purposes,
especially tor lighting kitchens. In
fact, these candles produce the cheap
est light that can be obtained. In com.
pairing their illuminating power, the
advantage is chiefly in the eXtraordi-
nary 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 dates
only from the early part OF the cen
trry, it received little attention till