FIBRES. 141 



away at the bases of the leaves ; and when a sufficient 

 quantity is collected, it is roughly cleaned by fixing pieces 

 of stick in the ground with sharp points and drawing the 

 fibre through them. This rough system of combing separates 



KITTOOL, OE WINE PALM (Caryota urens). 



the flossy fibre, which is not exported, but is used in Brazil for 

 making ropes to tie poles together, or for making fences. 

 The Piassaba is then pressed in bales or bundles ready for ship- 

 ment. In 1861 nearly 6,000 tons of Piassaba were imported 



