the only genus in this family of palms, remarkable for the large quantity of wax, mixed with two-thirds of resin, that flows from its bark, and invests its stem with a thick coating. This is collected, and with one-third of tallow is manufactured into candles. The plant attains the enormous height of 180 feet. It is found on the mountain chain separating the Rio Madalena from the Rio Caucu, in Lat. 4° 33' N. Unlike other palms, it only flourishes where the air is cooled by the vicinity of perennial snow. Its range is limited to about 20 square leagues. It is well named by the Spaniards Palma de Cera.