14 



CASE Pine Apple Order {Bromeliacea), A group of short 



8. stemmed plants with rigid spiny leaves and showy flowers. 



They are natives of the American continent and islands, from 



whence they have been distributed into Africa, India, and other 



parts. The plants yield fibres and edible fruits. 



On the lower shelf observe leaves and fibre of the Cara- 

 guata (Bromelta argentinaf Baker), from the Argentine 

 Republic. (See Kew Bulletin, 1892, p. 191.) 



No. 21. Collar, made of the very finely prepared fibre 

 of Bromelia Pinguin, L., from Jamaica. 



No. 22. CuiRASs of Chaguar fibre {Bromelia Serra, 

 Gr.), from the Argentine Republic. When worn by the 

 Mataco Indians it is padded before and behind with cotton 

 from the fruit of the Yachan (Chorisia insignis, H.B.). By 

 rolling themselves in water the fibre swells and the whole 

 becomes arrow-proof. 



Near this observe sample of the fibre of Bromelia 

 fastuosa, Ldl. 

 CASE On the top shelf is a sample of fibre of Karatas Plumieriy 



9, E, Morr. (Bromelia Karatas, Lem.). 



No. 23. Pine Apples. The fruits of Ananas sativus, 

 Schult. f. Introduced from South America into the tropics 

 of the Old World, where it has become naturalised. The 

 cultivation of the Pine Apple for supplying the markets of 

 Europe and America has very much extended of late years, 

 namely, in the West Indies, Tropical America, the Azores, 

 Straits Settlements, as well as in the Australian Colonies. 

 Tinned pine apples are now exported in very large quantities 

 from Singapore, Bahamas, Fiji, and Natal. Observe samples of 

 pine-apple fibre, prepared from the leaves, and of very fine 

 textiles, prepared in the Philippine Islands. 



On the lower shelves are stems of Puya chilensis, Molin., 

 an arborescent plant of Chile. 



Also specimens of New Orleans Moss, or Old Man's 

 Beard (Tillandsia usneoides, L.). Common in the West 

 Indies, Southern United States, and Central America,hanging 

 in festoo^is from the trees upon which it is epiphytal. The 

 plant is collected, steeped in w^ater or buried for a short time to 

 remove the outer cellular portion, the fibrous part being dried 

 and used for stuflEing cushions, mattresses, &c. 



CASE Bowstring Hemp Order {Ha.modoracece). A family 



10. of perennial herbs distributed in Australia, South Africa, 



