CHAPTER XL 



SOME OF THE LESSER-KNOWN CORDAGE 

 FIBRES. 



SIDA is a vegetable fibre found in India. It resembles jute 

 in structure and chemical characteristics, but is more uniform, 

 cleaner, and softer to the touch. An important factor in its 

 component parts is the relatively high percentage of cellulose 

 83 per cent., as compared with 75 per cent, in the case 

 of jute. 



According to Matthews, the commercial fibre known as 

 Chinese jute is not a variety of jute at all, but is derived from 

 Abutilon avicennte, or Indian mallow. The bast fibre is white 

 and glossy, and has considerable strength. The plant produces 

 about 20 per cent, of fibre. 



Gambo Hemp, or Ambari, is an East Indian fibre derived 

 from the bast of Hibiscus cannabinus. The fibre, when carefully 

 prepared, is from 5 to 6 ft. in length, and is of a lighter colour 

 than hemp, and harsher. It is not quite so strong as Sunn 

 hemp, and, like this latter fibre, is principally used for cordage, 

 although it is also employed in India for the manufacture of 

 a coarse canvas. 



Hemp Palm (Chamarops excelsa) is a palm of China and Japan, 

 the leaves of which contain fibre, which is much employed in 

 those countries for making cordage. 



Esparto is a plant which grows wild in Spain and Africa, 



and is applied by the natives to the manufacture of coarse 



cordage, matting, &c. The plant, called by botanists Stipa, or 



Macrochloa tenacissima, is a species of grass, growing in tufts 



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