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It was no other than the oil-palm, called by the natives of Western Africa the "Mava," and by botanists "Elais Guiniensis," which, when translated into plain English, means the "oil-palm of Guinea." It is a palm that somewhat resembles the beautiful cocoa, and by botanists is placed in the same family.

He prayed for help secretly to Hermes, the God of Thieves, when he sacrificed goats to him, and at last he had a plan. There was a story that Anius, the King of the Isle of Delos, had three daughters, named OEno, Spermo, and Elais, and that OEno could turn water into wine, while Spermo could turn stones into bread, and Elais could change mud into olive oil.

The trade in this oil is not less active than that on the coast of Africa for palm-oil, which is obtained from the Elais guineensis, and is used as food. I have often seen canoes arrive at Cumana laden with 3000 cocoa-nuts. We did not quit the farm of Pericantral till after sunset. The south coast of the gulf presents a most fertile aspect, while the northern coast is naked, dry, and rocky.

In the tall forests, which abound in wild fruits, there are beautiful tracts of clear grassy land, and the woods, clear of undergrowth, resemble an English grove more than a tropical jungle. The Elais palm is rare, sufficing only for home use.