168 THE USES OF PLANTS. 



For cordage, at the present time, in addition to the 

 longer-known fibres, hemp, jute, Manila hemp, Sunn 

 hemp, and New Zealand flax, the four following 

 fibres are commonly employed. 



MEXICAN GRASS, from Agave americana, L., and 

 other species, shipped from Tehuantepec, of which 

 19,000 cwt. have been imported. 



SlLK GRASS, Agave vivipara, L. 



PITA, Bromelia Karatas, L., of Mexico, and GRASS 

 or SlSAL HEMP, Agave sisalana, Engelm., from Yuca- 

 tan, which is now grown in Jamaica, and in London 

 is worth from 5 to 10 less than Manila hemp. 



The following alphabetical list* refers only to the 

 remaining more important fibres used for textiles, 

 cordage, or paper: 



Adansonia digitata, L., BAOBAB, from Angola, in 

 use for paper, 9 to 15 a ton. 



Agave ainericana, L., PITA, mixed with Manila 

 hemp for cordage, matting, and the best papers, *j 

 to ;io a ton less than Manila hemp. 



Ananas sativus, Mill., PINEAPPLE, from China, 

 Malacca, Java, Philippines, Mauritius, etc., for good 

 strong paper. 



Areca catechu, L., spathe suggested for paper. 



Arenga saccharifera, Labill., GOMUTI PALM. Ra- 

 menta, or VEGETABLE BRISTLES, suggested as a 

 covering for telegraph cables. 



Attaleafunifera, Mart., BAHIA PlASSAVA. Ramenta 

 worth 15 to 2$ a ton for brush-making or cord- 

 age, and we import the bulk of the 5,000 tons annu- 

 ally exported. f 



* Mainly from Spon's 'Encyclopaedia of Industrial Arts.' 

 f ' Pharm. Journ.,' ix (1850), p. 431. 



