Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-08-19
Scientific American. |
Panama Hats.

Now that the summer season is on us, II
may not be uninteresting TO the reader to
learn something about the origin and manu-
facture of Panama hats. This is given by
DR. Seeman. in an interesting article on the
vegetation Of the lsthmus of Panama, in the
Journal of Botany. An indigenous produc-
ton. he says, deserving Of especial notice, is
the "Jipljapa" tCdriudoricd pdlmatd, X. and
P) a palm-llks plant Of whose unexpanded
leaves the far-famed Panama hats" are
plated This species of Cdriadoricd is dis
tinguishcd from all others by being terres-
trial, never climbing, and bearing an-shaped
leaves. The leaves are from SIX To fourteen
feet high. and their lamlna about four feet
across. The spathc appears toward the end
Of the dry season in February and March.
In the lsthmus the plant is called 'Portori-
Co" and also "IipUapa." but theolatter ap
pellatiOn is the more common. and is ditfuS
ed all along the coast as far As Peru and
Chill while in Ecuador a whole district de-
riyes its name from il. The plant is com
mon IN Panama and Darien, especially in
half shady places, but is geographical
range Is by no means confined to them. II
Is found all along the western shores Of
New Granada and Ecuador; and has been
found even at SIlIngo, WHERE, however, It
seems to reach It's most southern limit. thus
extending over twelve degrees Of latitude
from north to south. The Jipijapa. or Pan
anna hats, are principally manufactured IN
Neraquas and Western Panama. Not all.
however. known in commerce hy that name
are plated IN the lsthmus by far a greater
proportion i, being made in Manta, Monte
Christi and other parts OF Ecuador The
hats are worn almost IN the whole American
continent and the West Indies. and would
probably bc equally used in Europe did not
their hlgh price t,aring from - tn >ljol
prevent their Importation. They are dis
tnEulShcd from all others hy consisting
only of single piece, and by their lIghtnt~,
and AcvIblliiy. They may be- rolled up and
pat into The pocket without injury In the
RAINY season they are apt 10 get black, but
by washing with soap aud water. bcsmearing
them With lime juice, or any other acid, and
exposing them 10 the sun. their Wilderness b,
easily restored.
So little j. known about these hats, thu, il
may not hc ont of place To give IN accoun,
OF their manufacture. The straw tpala).
previous % plating. has to undergo several
processes, The leave, are gathered before
they unfold. all their ribs and coarstr veins
removed, and the rest, without being sepa
rated from the base of the leaf. d reduced
10 ,hrcL,. After having been exposed 70
,he sun for day, and tied jn,n a Knot, the
,traw !. immersed IA boiling water until it
begomc- white. Il is then hung up ia 4
shady place. and subsequent, 5,eached for
two or three lay,. The straw I, now ready
for use and in thi, state sent to different
places, especial, o. Peru, where the lnd
ans manufacture from il those beautiful
cigar cases, which sometimes bring as high
a $50 each The plating Of the hats ],
very troublesome. Il commence, AZ the
crown and finishes at the brim. The hats
are made on a block. which is placed upon
the knees and require, % b. constantly
pressed with the breast. According 10 their
quality. mprc or less time j.. occupied IN
their completion the culr,rr ones may be
finished in Two or three days, vhil, the fin
r,t MAY take A. many months, he best
times for plating arr the moruing hours and
the rainy season, when The AIR i, moist. In
the middle Of the il, and Ia dry clear
weather, the straw ), apt % break. and this,
when the hat j. finished i, BETRAYED by
knots, and much dimiui,hcs the value.