1^ 



meal. The plantain is dso valued for the fibre which is CASE 

 obtained both from the stems and potioles of the leaves. Speci- 6. 

 mens of this fibre ai'e exhibited in Case 7 from India, British 

 Guiana, and Jamaica. Ropes and paper made from the fibre 

 are also shown. Paintings of Bananas are shown on lower part 

 of the descent staircase. 



No. 19. Manila Hemp. The fibre oi Musa textilisS^^ 



Nees., known in the Philippine Islands, from whence the whole '' 

 of the supply comes, as Abaca. It is a most important fibre 

 for cordage and ropes, and enormous quantities are imported 

 both into England and the United States of America for these 

 purposes. The fibre is obtained from the stems, which oj-e cut 

 down just before the flowering period. After flowering the 

 fibre is said to be weaker, and consequently of less value. 

 Samples are exhibited of ropes and cordage both, in the natural 

 state and dyed ; hats, mats, and handkerchiefs of remarkably 

 fine texture, also dyed fibre in imitation of human hair, and 

 samples of paper made from old cordage. (See Kew Bulletin^ 

 1887, p. 1. Much detailed information on the uses of the 

 Manilla Hemp is also given in the Keic Bulletin for 

 August 1894). , . ., 



Note, fruits and seeds of various species of il!fM5«, including CASE 

 M. ventricosa, Welw., from South-west Tropical Africa; g. 

 M. Banksii, F. Muell., from Mount Elliot, Australia; M. 

 superba, Roxb., from Travancore, also flowers, seeds, and fibre 

 of the Ensete of Bruce (Jtfw*« Ensete, Gmel.) from Abyssinia; 

 and neciklaces made of'seieds of,, JJf. living stoniq,na iroja. 

 Zambesi. " ' 



The Kew Bulletin for August 1894, contains a complete 

 summary of information relating to Bananas and Plantains as 

 well as to other species of Musa. 



No. 20. Flambeau, from Dominica, made of gum of the 

 GoMMiEii (Bursera gummiferay L.), wrapped in leaves of ^he 

 Balisier (iye/2cowi« sp.). ;i ' ,, 



Observe the huge flowering branches of unnamed species 6f 

 Heliconia and Phenakospermum ( Raven ala) guianense}. 

 Endl., with seeds embedded in a red woolly aril. Note also' 

 fruits of the Traveller's Tree {Ravenala madagascariensi^^^ 

 Sonn.), with a bright blue aril to the seeds. A fine trunk of thl!^^ 

 tree will be found in the Case opposite the door of Room 

 No. 3, and a painting is showa ©^?i^^ ¥(»Ui4f the landing 'of 

 the descent stairs. '^ ; - i. >' 



