171 
“The commercial use of piassava fibre is chiefly in making 
brushes and brooms, yet it may be used for baskets, in street- 
sweeping machines, for cordage, bottoms for chairs, etc. The 
Raphia vinifera produces an ivory nut with a hard outer coverin 
from which Africans make rings and other articles for decoration 
and dress. Puiassava is tied up at both ends and in bundles from 
2 to 3 feet long, much like American wheat. It is remarkable how 
strong is this fibre and how well it resists decay and endures the 
wear and tear of the roughest work. 
“In exchange for American cotton goods and provisions, thousands 
of pounds of this piassava may be had at almost every Liberian 
port. The aboriginal as well as the Americo-Liberians are anxious 
to secure American products, and for them they show a decided pre- 
ference. In case American exporters seek to extend trade in this 
district consideration should be given to piassava fibre.” 
Under date March 8th, Messrs. J. H. Rayner & Co., Produce 
Brokers of Liverpool, in their weekly report, state, in reference to 
this fibre, that recent arrivals per “ Fulani,” amounting to 1500 
bundles, were offered at public auction on the preceding Friday ; 
there was very fair competition and the bulk sold at full prices as 
follows :— 
roe = ‘i ; 
Grand Bassa ... .. 18 10 0O to 21 15 O per ton. 
River Cess__... aS ie -8 9 
nk River 90°00 3 21 O Be 
Sherbro and Gaboon sorts on private terms since the auction. 
Specimens illustrating the economic uses of this Palm will be 
found in Case 51, Museum No. II. 
J. M: H. 
Algological Visit to Achill and Clare Island—In April, 1909, 
r. Cotton, Assistant, Cryptogamic Department, was able to pa 
a visit to Achill and Clare Island. The report submitted by him 
is here reproduced. 
On Wednesday, April 7th, I left London by the night mail and 
reached Achill at 1 p.m. the following day. I worked the sand- 
banks and channels left dry during the low spring tide that after- 
noon, and proceeded to Clare Island in the evening. On Clare 
Island various positions were selected for collecting purposes and a 
large number of specimens were gathered, laid out, and dried for 
the Herbarium. Special attention was paid to species and varieties 
of Callithamnion, Polysiphonia and Ectocarpus with a view to the 
systematic revision of these genera. Care was also given to the 
collection of certain microscopic algae which are poorly represented 
in the Herbarium. 
