BY L. A. BERNAYS, ESQ., F:L.S. 35 
sold at about a third of the price of ordinary hair brooms, 
and less than a quarter of that of the best. At Messrs. 
Bright’s works at Rochdale, “ Kittool” fibre has been for 
some time in use with remarkable success, and it is coming 
into general use in some parts of the United States. The 
makers also do a considerable trade with the Continent of 
Europe and the British Colonies. 
Other minor uses for the fibre in its own countries are as 
fishing lines and bowstrings; there is also a woolly material 
found on the petiole, which is used as oakum in caulking 
ships. This fibre is by no means a new article of trade in 
England, having been more or less in use for thirty-five 
years; and, as it is growing in estimation, and the demand 
is rapidly increasing, there appears to be a prospect for a 
new industry in Queensland by its production. If it will 
pay to grow the cocoa-palm, it is worth considering if the 
“Caryota urens,”’ a tree of as rapid growth, the leading 
product of which is easily prepared in its raw state for 
shipment, may not deserve the attention of our coast 
farmers. 
The ‘‘Caryota urens”’ is fruiting now for the first time at 
Bowen Park, and, so far as I am aware, for the first time in 
the colony. It is, like the Raphia Palm of which spoke last, 
a prolific bearer; and there will be abundance of nuts from 
which to raise plants for distribution. A handsome example 
of the tree may be seen at the corner gates of the Houses of 
Parliament, opposite the Queensland Club. 
EXHIBITS. 
By Mr. L. A. Bernays, specimens of different portions of 
Caryota urens, and of products derived therefrom. 
By Mr. H. Tryon, the following insects, viz. :—Moths of 
a species belonging to a genus allied to Plusza, the cater- 
pillars of which had recently been destroying the different 
naturalized and indigenous species of Amaranthus, and 
which appeared to be the Australian representative of the 
destructive Gamma moth of Europe—/P/usia gamma, Linn. 
