VEGETABLE FIBRE FOR ROPE-MAKING. 147 



ryots, as the returns would be far too small to 

 afford a remunerating price for their time and la- 

 bour. The wood of the cashew-nut tree is only 

 used for firing. An oil is produced from the inner 

 shell of the nut. 



" Sanseviera zeylanica, called by the natives Moor- 

 gain, grows wild in various parts of the district, 

 chiefly in hedges. It is perhaps worthy of being 

 extensively cultivated for the sake of the extreme- 

 ly strong fibres or flax, afforded by the leaves. 

 With the exception of the Ootralee, it is perhaps 

 the strongest vegetable fibre known ; almost every 

 soil seems to suit it. Mr. Bond of Balasore, can give 

 you further information about the Moorgabi, as it 

 was he who first brought to my notice the flax pro- 

 cured from that plant; it has however been long 

 known to the natives. The hill people manufacture 

 their bow-strings of these fibres ; fishing lines are 

 also made of them. Mr. Bond of Balasore, has ma- 

 nufactured good rope from this flax, and brought 

 the subject to the notice of the Marine Board.* 



* On inquiry I find that experiments have been made at the Govern- 

 ment yards of a most satisfactory nature ; but the expense of col- 

 lecting the fibre in quantities, appears to be the chief difficulty in 

 brinsmiir it into extensive use. II. II. S. 



