Carnahuba

Carnahuba, or CARANAIBA PALM (Copernica cerifera), a very beautiful and useful palm, which abounds in the northern parts of Brazil, in some places, particularly river-banks, forming vast forests. It attains a height of only 20 to 40 feet, but its timber is put to many uses, and is even fine enough for veneering. The olive-like fruit is eaten, and the seeds are roasted as a substitute for coffee, the terminal bud yields a palm-cabbage, and the pith a kind of sago; while the leaves are used in thatching, mat-making, &c. (For the extraordinary variety of uses to which it is put, see Wells' Brazil, 1886). Like Croxyylon andicola, this tree is also an important source of palm-wax; this substance exudes in scales from the under sides of the cut leaves, and drops off when these are dried and shaken. This wax is melted into masses, and beeswax is often adulterated with it. It has been imported into Britain, and used in the manufacture of candles.