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96

One tree was identified by Autuco as a "Zapote" (This should be Matisia cordata, according to [Perez-Aubelaez??].) The other was identified as "Cedro" (perhaps Cedrela odorata) In any case, it is obvious that the Pygmies do use several kinds of trees!

The Cedro had only a few holes 3-4 ft up. Not particularly close together. Looked very new. We were able to examine them close up. Some roughly circular. Approximately 1/2" in diameter. Others irregular in shape. Sometimes considerably more than 1/2" across. All holes were cut thru the bark (approximately 1/4" deep) to the cambium. The fact that they did not go into and thru the cambium means that the Pygmies are not getting "real" sap. But there were traces of liquid oozing from the edges of the cut bark. And there were no insects present in the holes.

The Zapote literally had several hundred holes. Some very close together, partly overlapping. (Presumably made at different times? See also below.) The only holes I could inspect up close were fairly low in the tree. (Perhaps 1 ft to 8 ft above ground.) They looked quite old. Some partly filled up by bark "scar tissue." No noticeable liquid. But the holes continued up the tree to 25 ft! And some of the higher holes looked (thru binoculars) relatively new. And quite like the Cedro holes in general appearance.

[[These?]] data would suggest that Pygmies begin to dig holes at the base of tree, and then gradually work upward 

NOTE: This is not simply a matter of extending operations

Transcription Notes:
last word cut off - transcribed as full word (operations)