202 THE BANANA 



bulb of a wild banana is boiled when young, or roasted when 

 older, by the natives. 



HAWAII. The Jamaican banana * was first introduced 

 into Hawaii early in 1903 by Mr. Philip Peck of Hilo, and 

 again by the Board of Agriculture and Forestry at the 

 close of the same year. 



It has been known as the " Bluefields " banana from hav- 

 ing been introduced first from that port in Central America. 



The Borabora banana (Musafehi) was probably brought 

 to Hawaii from Borabora, an island of the same group, and 

 originally from Tahiti. Fruit of fair quality when cooked. 



The " Hua Moa " (Hen's Egg). The plant is of medium 

 height, the leaf-stalks long and slender. There are onl} 

 two or three fruits per bunch. The fruit is nearly as broad 

 as it is long, and is of very superior flavour. 



" Maia Hua Alua." Sometimes called " Mahoe." " The 

 peculiarity of this variety is that it produces two bunches 

 of fruit from the same stem." 



" Maia Hapai." This is one of the most curious forms 

 in the islands ; probably Subang or Eel plantain of Java. 

 It ripens its fruit within the stem. 



A variety known to the natives as the " Brazilian " 

 banana has been used for many years as shade for cacao ; 

 its fruit is superior in aroma to the " Bluefields, 5 * but it 

 easily drops from the bunch on ripening ; as it requires 

 much more care in transport, it is not exported to any extent. 



There is a large export of bananas to the United States. 



SOLOMON ISLANDS. The natives of these islands weave 

 the fibre of a species of Musa by means of a native loom 

 of a very primitive construction, and turn out cloth of a 

 close texture and of a very durable character. 



JAPAN. A species of Musa (M. basjoo), the " Japanese 

 Plantain," is cultivated in Southern Japan for its fibre. 

 It is said to be a native of the Liu Kiu Archipelago (25 to 

 30 N. lat.). The fibre is exceedingly durable, and is used 

 for making screens, and for binding books it is not 

 exported in the raw state. 



* Bulletin 7, Agri. Exp. St., Hawaii* 



