are still sent from Hamburg to the Plate. The principal fibres are from the Piassaba palm now becoming so well known in England, the Caraguatá and the Ybira, fitted for ropes. The Caoutchouc of the Curuguati and the Cuarepoti mountains is called Atangaisi. The medical flora is rich in gums, resins, and drugs; for instance, the Orüssi, the Canafistula, the Copaiba, and the Aguaribay, popularly termed "Balm of the Missions." Some authors mention rhubarb, but I do not know to what plant they refer.
The imports comprised all things wanted by a poor and semi-civilized country: arms were in especial demand — the Paraguayans occupied Corrientes in 1849 solely in order to secure the free importation of warlike stores. Even lime was introduced, although there is abundance of it in the land. The other articles were mainly wet goods (wines and liqueurs); dry goods (silks, cottons, and broad cloths), and hardware. The Messrs. Ash worth, of Buenos Aires, supplied the stout baize for the use of the troops: since the beginning of the war that occupation has gone. The total value of the books imported in ten years hardly reached $3299, and of these, few if any treated of the arts or sciences, mechanics or industry.
There were four taxes in Paraguay which, in ordinary times, sufficed to support the commonweal. The tithes abolished by Dr. Francia were re-established by President Lopez I., " l'illustre magistrat," who gave impulsion to the Code of Commerce, perfected the financial system, and established a mint to stamp coin with the arms of the Republic. He raised them in lieu of $1 on head of cattle sold; of the " Alcabala," or 4 per cent, on yearly sales, and of the vexatious 6 per cent, on purchases from foreigners. The custom-house dues, as in the Brazil, were of all the most important items of income, and this evil is apparently unavoidable in young lands. The demi-annatte or conceded
