BRUSH AND MAT MATERIALS. 



147 



"The higli quality may be gathered from the fact that the last 

 prices paid were 46, 6s. per ton with Good to Prime, etc. When 

 well cleaned Madagascar took rank as a first class-fibre. 



" Since the above date Madagascar fibres have come down in price, 

 even so low as 15s. to 38s., and little business is being done at these 

 prices. It has also become scarce. It is possible that inflated prices 

 were reached at its introduction into commerce, but these have gradually 



Fig. 96. Monkey Bass fibres. 



worked down. " Some good specimens of brushes made from this fibre 

 are to be seen in the Economic Museum of the Royal Gardens, Kew." 

 Quite recently, however, it has come in large quantities, and has been 

 sold at from 50 to 60 per ton. 



The breaking strain of the fibres of Madagascar piassava in pounds 

 weight were as follows : 5, *5, '5. 



Bass, West African (Raphia mnifera or Mauritia vinifera, 

 PalmacesB). The plant producing the West African Bass is also known 



