128 TEXTILE FIBRES. 



of the fibres of Musa sapientum are shown in one of the cases of 

 No. 2 Museum at Kew. The shuttles and implements are large, rude 

 structures, but serve to show what man can do in cases of necessity. 

 Bags are made of the fibres, and are used for the carriage of Betel nuts. 

 Into these fibres the warp yarn is interlaced, forming a gauze-like 

 material with an ornamental fringe on the margin. 



Garments have been made of banana fibre ornamented with the leaves 

 of the Pandanus or Screw pine. 



Sleeping mats and packages for holding the dried bananas have also 

 been made from portions of the plant. The leaves of the banana are 



Fig. 86. Banana fibres. 



oblong, obtuse, entire, of a moderately thick, leather-like texture and 

 pinnate venation. 



The spikes of fruit weigh from ten to forty pounds. It was intro- 

 duced into England in 1729. The banana has been used together with 

 rags by Mr. T. Routledge for the making of paper. 



Bhabur Grass (Ischxmum angustifoUum, Graminess). A native of 

 India, which, with other species of the genus, was formerly included 

 amongst useless grasses. As a paper-making fibre plant it has received 

 some attention. It is also used for cordage purposes and mat-making. 

 Mr. John R. Jackson says of this plant : " This is~one of the best 

 substitutes for esparto that has yet been introduced. Since ] 878, when 



