The Carnuba, or wax palm of Brazil. It grows
about 40 feet high, and has a trunk 6 or 8 inches thick, composed
of very hard wood, which is commonly employed in Brazil for
building and other purposes. The upper part of the
young stem is
soft, and yields a kind of sago, and the bitter fruits are eaten
by the Indians. The young leaves are coated with wax, called
Carnaub wax, which is detached by shaking them, and then melted
and run into cakes; it is harder than beeswax, and has been used
for making candles. The leaves are used for thatch, and, when
young, are eaten by cattle.
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