. Wanderings in South America, the north-west of the United States and the Antilles in the years 1812, 1816, 1820 & 1824 : with original instructions for the perfect preservation of birds, etc. for cabinets of natural history . SCARLET GROSBEAK. SciROU (Iiha7nphastos toco).—See Toucans. Screamer, Horned {Palamedea cornnta).—-This fine birdis about as large as a turkey, and derives its popular namefrom a small horn-like appendage situate upon the upperpart of the head. The object of this appendage is absolutely EXPLANATORY INDEX. 469 unknown. Some zoologists believed it to be employed as aweapo
. Wanderings in South America, the north-west of the United States and the Antilles in the years 1812, 1816, 1820 & 1824 : with original instructions for the perfect preservation of birds, etc. for cabinets of natural history . SCARLET GROSBEAK. SciROU (Iiha7nphastos toco).—See Toucans. Screamer, Horned {Palamedea cornnta).—-This fine birdis about as large as a turkey, and derives its popular namefrom a small horn-like appendage situate upon the upperpart of the head. The object of this appendage is absolutely EXPLANATORY INDEX. 469 unknown. Some zoologists believed it to be employed as aweapon, but sucli an opinion is simply absiird, as no birdstrikes with any part of its head except the beak, and evenif the Screamer did so, the horn would be quite inadequate asa weapon of HORNED SCEEAHER. When it wishes to attack any foe, it uses the sharp spurs,which are attached to the wungs, are very strong, and aboutan inch in length. The natives call it by the name of Kamiehi. Silk-Grass.—This peculiarly useful fibre is obtoined fromthe leaf of one of the Aloe tribe (Agave vivijxira). The fibres run nearly parallel to each other throughout thewhole length of the leaf, and are extracted by steeping theleaves in water until they are quite soft, and then drawing themthrough a loop of cord, so as to clear off the decayed pulpand preserve the fibres. These are then dried in the sun andtied in bundles. The Silk-grass is of incalculable value to the natives, whoalways haA^e a supply on hand. The strength of the fibre isreally wonderful, and though so fine that it seems as if itwould snap at a touch, it geems more like steel wire than avegetable fabric. A coil of it is always attached to thequiver. Why it is not largely used in this country I cannot 470 EXPLANATORY INDE
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidwanderingsin, bookyear1885
