314 Miscellaneous, 



tiple cotyledons are frequently seen ranged in two parallel lines, 

 and these two lines are then separated one from the other by a 

 very visible slit. This intercotyledonary slit is continued to the two 

 opposite sides of the embryo, where it is easily recognised by its 

 greater size, especially in some species {Pinus pinaster. Solan., Pi«MS 

 excelsa, Wall., &c.). In certain cases these two opposite lateral slits 

 gradually descend lower than those interposed between the lobes ; 

 the assertion of Jussieu therefore, although too much generalized, 

 was based on facts. To recognise, in these doubtful cases, the ar- 

 rangement of the cotyledonary lobes into two groups, the best plan 

 is to make with a very sharp instrument, a transverse section towards 

 the middle of the lowest cotyledons ; the remaining basilary portion 

 evidencing clearly, in almost every case, the arrangement here de- 

 scribed. 



To these facts furnished by the adult embryo, I add others taken 

 from the germination and phyllotaxy. M. Lestiboudois has likewise 

 recently been led, by observations on anatomical phyllotaxy, to admit 

 that all the Coniferse are dicotyledonous. 



The species of CeratophyUum have been and are still described as 

 possessing four unequal cotyledons in pairs. But the observations of 

 M. Schleiden, with which mine agree on nearly every point, have 

 sufficiently shown that it is an error arising from the first whorl of 

 plumular leaves, and which always appear binary, having been con- 

 founded with the two cotyledons. 



After having removed from the category of polycotyledonous plants 

 nearly all those admitted as such, there remains in my opinion but 

 some species of Persoonia which should provisionally be referred to 

 this group, upon the authority of Mr. R. Brown, and respecting 

 which I am unable to form an opinion owing to want of material. — 

 Comptes Rendus, xxvii. p. 226. 



Preparation of Pineapple Fibres in Singapore for the Manufacture of 



Pina Cloth. 



Some time ago we observed, in the neighbourhood of Batu Blyer, 

 a number of Chinese labourers employed in cleaning the fibres of 

 pineapple leaves for exportation to China. As we believe this to 

 be a new and promising branch of industry in this settlement, where 

 numerous islets are covered by the pineapple, it would be well to 

 draw the attention of the Chinese and Bugis frequenting or inhabit- 

 ing these islets to the subject. The process of extracting and 

 bleaching the fibres is exceedingly simple. The first step is to re- 

 move the fleshy or succulent side of the leaf. A Chinese, astride 

 on a narrow stool, extends on it, in front of him, a pineapple leaf, 

 one end of which is kept firm by being placed beneath a small bun- 

 dle of cloth on which he sits. He then with a kind of two-handled 

 plane made of bamboo removes the succulent matter. Another 

 man receives the leaves as they are planed, and with his thumb-nail 

 loosens and gathers the fibres about the middle of the leaf, which 

 enables him by one effort to detach the w^hole of them from the outer 

 skin. The fibres are next steeped in water for some time, after 



