36 



pehgo, where from motives of industry, they have en- 

 deavored to increase and to multiply it, that it might he 

 rendered useful to them in the new country of their 

 adoption. 



From Manilla the Moms multicaulis was first intro- 

 duced hy M. Perrottet to the Isle of Bourbon, and from 

 thence into Cayenne, and finally it was brought by him 

 to France in 1821, in that vast collection and variety of 

 productions, which he had during thirty-four months 

 procured in the seas of Asia, or gathered on the coast 

 or in the lands of Guiana. At first, however, its cultiva- 

 tion in France was confined almost exclusively to the 

 Royal Gardens, that its trial and dissemination might be 

 thus rendered the more effectual and complete through- 

 out every department of the country. At a later period 

 it was sent from Cayenne to Martinique, and from 

 France to Guadaloupe, also to Senegal. The numerous 

 plants which are already disseminated in the divers cli- 

 mates of Africa, America and Europe, have all been 

 produced by the two individual plants which were 

 brought by M. Perrottet from Manilla. 



The Morns multicaulis differs from all others, in the 

 uncommon vigor of its growth, and the property which 

 the roots possess of throwing up numerous flexible 

 stalks; the great length which these stalks acquire in a 

 short space of time, and the facility with which it is 

 propagated from layers, or even from cuttings ; also, 

 from the remarkable size which the thin, soft, and ten- 

 der leaves speedily acquire, and the promptitude with 

 which they are renewed. The fruit, which was un- 

 known even in France till 1830, is long, black, and of 

 appearance sufficiently beautiful ; its flavor good, being 

 intermediate between that of the Red and that of the 

 Black Mulberry. The silk which the worms form from 

 the food afforded by this plant is not only of the finest 

 quality, but the cocoons are of unusual size, and the 

 fibre of superior strength. The leaves, from their ex- 

 traordinary dimensions, are gathered with important 



