BRUSH AND MAT MATERIALS. 



153 



The thick pericarp forms the coir of commerce, the fibres of which 

 have long been used in India for cordage. 



The cocoa-nut fibre is made into ropes, brushes, brooms, matting, nose- 

 bags, and cables. 



The longest fibres are used for spinning purposes, and the shorter ones 

 for stuffing material. When dyed, they form a substitute for horse-hair. 



In order to detach the fibres from the pericarp freely, a steaming 

 process is resorted to, which has the effect of softening the husk and 

 the fibres composing it. The fibres are at first willowed to remove the 

 adhering particles or impurities. 



Fig. 100. Coir fibres. 



Fig. 99 shows the brown tufty fibres taken from the exterior shell 

 of the cocoa-nut. After having undergone some operation of dressing, 

 they are ready for the brush-maker. 



In some countries where the Cocoa palm grows near the sea, the 

 nuts are buried in holes, so that the sea-water may cover them. This 

 has the effect of macerating the fibres, and readily differentiates those 

 which are best adapted for weaving into mats and other purposes. 



Fig. 100 shows a number of coir fibres used for sweeping brushes. 

 Some of them, are distinct enough, but others split up into thinner flexuose 



