60 TEXTILE FIBEES. 



was noted by Sir J. D. Hooker during his interesting Himalayan 

 botanical journeys. 



Sisal Hemp, Henequen, Yucatan (Agave rigida, Amaryllidacea?). 

 This plant, shown in fig. 36, is the Agave rigida, var. Sisalina. The 

 leaves are sword-like (ensiform), and terminate in a long, sharp, horny 

 point. The fibro- vascular bundles of this plant run longitudinally from 

 the stem to the apex of the leaves, and the fibres obtained from it yield 

 the " Sisal hemp " of commerce. The Sisal belongs to the Monocotyledons. 

 It has received many names, among which are Agave, Heuequen, Bahama 

 fibre, Yucatan, the latter being derived from a State of that name. In 



Fig. 37. Sisal hemp plant (Agave rigida). 



Central America, the term Sisal is likely, however, to become the most 

 popular. The plant is extensively grown in the Bahamas. In 1892 

 Sir Ambrose O'Shea, Governor of the Island of Bahama, said: "We 

 have 100,000 acres of the Crown lands under this fibre, and the value of 

 these lands has increased 300 to 400 per cent. When the cultivation of 

 the fibre is fully developed, the yield ought to be 50,000 tons annually, 

 and it is marketable at from 20 to 24 a ton." The plant has also 

 been grown in the Wide Bay district of Queensland. The fibres have 

 been much used for cordage, and large quantities have been exported 

 into Australia from the United States. It has been used for the 

 manufacture of coarse sackcloth and for hammocks. 



