. Bulletin. Ethnology. 134 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULt. 110 It would, and doubtless has in the past, serve to weave excellent hammocks. Langue-boeuf, a species of wild agava (Agave americana), is also used in the manufacture of thread and twine. In this case the separation of the fiber necessitates a preliminary soaking or rotting process, as in the case of hemp. Once disengaged, the fiber is sub- mitted to the same processes as Bromelia. Maho (or mahaut) is the name given to a number of trees of diflferent species, whose only common characteristic is the use to which their bark may be
. Bulletin. Ethnology. 134 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULt. 110 It would, and doubtless has in the past, serve to weave excellent hammocks. Langue-boeuf, a species of wild agava (Agave americana), is also used in the manufacture of thread and twine. In this case the separation of the fiber necessitates a preliminary soaking or rotting process, as in the case of hemp. Once disengaged, the fiber is sub- mitted to the same processes as Bromelia. Maho (or mahaut) is the name given to a number of trees of diflferent species, whose only common characteristic is the use to which their bark may be put in making ropes and cords. They are: Maho noir (or bois violon, Guatteria sp.), maho piment (Daphnopsis caribbaea), maho cochon, maho doux, maho figue. Some, such as bois violon, are indigenous, while others, such as the bananalike maho figue, are imported. Strips of the bark from these trees are shredded and twisted—some rudely, to make halters and ropes, others being tressed carefully into as fine a twine as that of Bromelia or Agave. Besides the above-mentioned raw materials, all of which require more or less preparation and manufacture, the woods abound in all manner of natu- ral cords and lianas, some as thick as a man's arm, some as fine as cotton yarn. These are put to a number of uses, some, such as mibi {Stigmatophyl- lum puberum), being used for tying palm-leaf or cane-straw thatchings of muinan and karbe, as well as in basketry; while others, such as caapi (species of native ivy), are employed in the catching of crayfish (see below). Fire and Light, Gums, Wax, Kesin, Oils, and Pigments The so-called fire drill (fig. 28), with which fire was obtained by revolving a long pointed stick between the palms of the hands, after the manner of a swizzle stick or "lele," in a groove made in another and softer piece of wood, is remembered, but no longer used. The Carib tinder box (fig. 29), locally called "briquet" or "coucou du feu" (the coye
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