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VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



Excellent twine for ropes may likewise be obtained 

 from the leaves of several species of Bromelia, the 

 same genus of plants as the pine-apple. The Caroa, 

 or Bromelia variegata, which grows abundantly in 

 Brazil, is among the most valuable of these. The 

 inhabitants of the banks of the river St. Francisco 

 weave their fishing-nets of this material, and manu- 

 facture it likewise into very strong cordage. 



Bromelia acanya. 



