CLASSIFICATION OF FIBRES 3 



(2) Cordage Fibres. In this class are included 

 Manila, Sisal, Mauritius, and New Zealand hemps. 

 (The fibres of Class i are also more or less largely used 

 for the manufacture of ropes or twine.) 



(3) Brush and Mat Fibres. This class is repre- 

 sented by piassava, coir, palmyra, and certain Agave 

 fibres, such as Mexican fibre (A. heteracantha) . 



(4) Fibres used as Stuffing Materials in Upholstery. 

 Kapok and other flosses or silk-cottons are em- 

 ployed for this purpose. 



(5) Paper-making Materials. Almost any fibrous 

 material is capable of being used for paper-making. 

 The wood of various forest trees, especially spruce 

 and poplar, is used extensively for this purpose. 

 Among West African fibres, that of Adansonia digitata 

 may be mentioned, which has been used from time to 

 time for the manufacture of a certain class of wrapping 

 paper. 



(6) Miscellaneous. In this group may be placed 

 any other fibrous materials not included in the fore- 

 going classes. Reference may be made to bass or 

 raffia, and various products suitable for the manu- 

 facture of baskets, fans, hats, and other articles. 



METHODS OF INVESTIGATION 



The methods of investigating fibres consist of (i) 

 observation of the general characters of the product, 

 including colour, length, softness, lustre, and fineness, 

 (2) microscopical examination, (3) chemical examina- 

 tion, and (4) the measurement of strength and extensi- 

 bility. 



Microscopical Examination. Microscopical examination 

 is of great value for the identification of fibres. 

 It enables the form and character of the ultimate 

 fibres to be ascertained and facilitates the measure- 

 ment of their length and diameter. The discussion 

 of this subject is outside the scope of the present work, 

 but a general statement with regard to the form and 

 dimensions of the ultimate fibres of each product 

 dealt with is given in the respective sections. For a 

 fuller account of the microscopical structure of fibres, 



