Vegetable Materials for Cordage, &c. 29 
Milburn says that the island of Salsette produces two sorts of hemp, 
one resembling the sun-plant, but preferred thereto, when great 
strength is required ; it is the best substitute for hemp yet known. 
(Vol. 1. p. 283.) The botanical name of the plant yielding it, is not 
given. 
2. Musa textilis.—For several years past, a fibrous material un- 
der the name Manilla hemp, has been largely imported into the Unie 
ted States, and worked up into glossy white cordage for hawsers and 
running rigging. Having four years since, accidentally met with a 
store full of it, E was led to attempt to find out the vegetable that 
yielded it, but failed to obtain the least information. The mercantile 
men made no inquiries in the port where they shipped the article, 
and were satisfied with the good returns derived from bringing it 
me. © I knew it could not be the fibre of the hemp of Europe and 
North America, having been long familiar with the fact, that neither 
hemp nor flax are cultivated in any part of India, or the Indian is- 
lands, for cordage,* but the particular vegetable yielding the fibre, 
: 
‘ Crawfurd’s account of the Indian Archipelago,” and the first vol- 
ume of if relieved me from my ignorance. According to this author, 
the fibre of Manilla hemp is obtained from the Musa tewtilis,+ a 
— of wild banana, growing abundantly in the northern spice isl- 
ands, 
and in the Phillippines, particularly in Mindanao. The length 
Mg 
‘ 
bed cords, &e. The “tier” was also full of ane and 
pis These defects doubtless arise in part from the slovenly prepar of the 
“e. The brake and hackle would certainly turn it out in a more perfect state, al- 
: = and for 
* Smoked with 
Vails h toba 
Bes: Roxh rgh says, that «the species of Musa, which we call Coccinea, yields 
= : is called Manilla hemp ; at least it was sent to me from China as that plant.” 
Tans, Soc. Arts, Vol, XXiv, p, 153. 
