231 
Banane “ Quatre vingt” or. “Galega” or “ Australie” or 
<Dueen said to have been introduced by Mr. sides. from 
Australia. It is a very hardy plantain, but the fruits are of small 
size and of about the same shape as banane carré. Like the latter, 
it is immune from the weevil and for this reason occupies a more 
important place than it deserves, Its fruit is quite inferior. It is 
nearly allied to banane carré as far as characters of colouring of 
the stem and petioles are concerned. 
12, Banane “ Rouge ”—The name is derived from the beautiful 
red colour of the fruits which are eaten raw or cooked and generally 
appreciated. The stem is also deeply red coloured, and for this 
oo the plant is ornamental. 
. Banane “ Monsieur”—This is a variety certainly ere 
ee the latter, the stem and fruit being the same size and shape, 
and various shades of colouring showing clearly the derivation of 
the one type from the other. Som etimes several hands are re 
coloured red, and the others are green, and the same may be 
of some parts of the stem 
14, Banane “Blanche”—This is one of oy two types which 
stand the cool climate of the summits, the other is: 
15. Banane “ Noire”—The one variety is ieee from the other, 
just in the same way as banane Monsieur is derived from banane 
Rouge. Banane noire possesses a dee colouring in black of the 
stem ig leaves, and the colour ag banane blanche is lighter, but of 
the same blackish tinge. The same blackish colouring is sometimes 
found in banane barbars, and re seems that incidental variations in 
colour are very often due to the climate of this Col 
Banane mille, noire, blanche, carré, quatrevingt, nOuESs monsieur, 
are immune from the weevil, but I have noticed in 
varieties signs of a fungoid or bacterial disease whisk discolours in 
red the internal tissues of the pseudo-stem and causes the death of 
the plants. This disease was known long ago, and is propagating 
very pea & - 
re are only one or two specimens of banane * graine (a 
tall sancti which produces fruits containing seeds) newly intro- 
duced. 
XXXIX—SISAL HEMP IN FIJI. 
In the Kew peo for February sa fe a 37, it is recorded that 
at the request of the Governor, Sir J 
