XIV, 6 King: Philippine Bast-fiber Ropes 629 
strength of abacad rope 26 millimeters in circumference made of 
“G” grade fiber. When wetted for twenty-four hours, rope 
made of Ficus palawanensis bast is increased, and maguey is de- 
creased, in tensile strength, and the former is 18 per cent more 
tenacious than the latter. 
Four dry, and four wet, specimens ruptured in the unspliced 
portion of the rope, but the results obtained from the dry series 
of tests were much more uniform than those from the wet test 
pieces. The latter behaved erratically, and the maximum varia- 
tion from the mean was 30 per cent, while the greatest variation 
from the average value in the dry series was 12 per cent. The 
mean elongation of the wetted specimens was considerably higher 
than that given by the dry test pieces. 
Filipinos say that rope made of Ficus palawanensis bast is 
both stronger and more durable than that made of maguey. 
On account of its great strength, toughness, and durability the 
fiber is used for making wild-hog traps. 
A summary of the tests of this species made in the Bureau 
of Science is given in Table XXXIII. 
TABLE XXXIII.—Physical tests of rope made from the bast of Ficus 
palawanensis. 
[Rope made at Dolores, Abra Province.] 
Mean diameter: 
Millimeters 6.1 
Inches 0.24 
Mean perimeter, or girth: 
Millimeters 19 
Inches 0.75 
True mean sectional area: 
Square millimeters 20.5 
Square inches 0.032 
Ultimate tensile strength (dry): 
Mean in kilograms 154 
Maximum in kilograms 167 
Minimum in kilograms 136 
Mean in pounds «©3839 
Maximum in pounds 868 
Minimum in pounds 300 
Ultimate tensile strength (wet): 
Mean in kilograms 157 
Maximum in kilograms : 195 
Minimum in kilograms 110 
Mean in pounds 846 
Maximum in pounds 429 
Minimum in pounds 243 
