Miscellanies. 201 



the subject, and has freely made his remarks as the various topics in the 

 translation gave occasion for them. He has sent me a specimen of some 

 of the hemp which he made himself, while inspecting the operation ; a 

 portion of which I send you. As a part of his paper is taken up in con- 

 troverting some of the opinions of Blanco, T shall omit this, and give that 

 part of the process on his authority, he speaking from personal observa- 

 tion, and Blanco from report. Having obtained his consent, you are at 

 liberty to make such use of the paper as you judge most suitable. 



Yours, &c. Jos. S. Travelli. 



This article is obtained from a species of plantain, the " Musa Troglo- 

 ditarum textoria," and is probably a variety of the Musa Trogloditarum 

 errans; the lower edge almost without incision, stamens five, without ru- 

 diments of sex, fruit with three ribs and many perfect seeds. It is one of 

 the most useful plants and is cultivated with care in the province of Cam- 

 arines, and in other parts. At first sight it is not different from others of 

 the same species. The fruit is very small, seldom exceeding two inches 

 in length. The use made of this plantain is immense ; of it are made 

 ropes, cables, and woven cloth of extreme fineness.* 



In preparing the hemp they cut the tree near the ground at the time it 

 is about to produce fruit, and also cut off the upper extremity or head, re- 

 moving the leaves. They tear off one by one the layers, and with a knife 

 remove the skin from the inner surface. The layer or roll being now 

 stript of its inner skin, is torn into strips of about two fingers' breadth. 

 These strips are placed, one at a time, on a table or piece of wood, below 

 the edge of a knife, which is pressed down upon the table by a long bam- 

 boo fastened in the earth. 



I, long bamboo pressing the handle of the knife upwards to keep its 

 edge closely down. 2, knife— perhaps somewhat like a small cleaver or 

 bulcher's chopping-knife. 3, pivot or support for the knife. 4, the ta- 

 ble, or stake of wood or bamboo on which the strip is placed under the 

 edge of the knife. 



The strip of the layer being placed beneath the knife, the outer skin 

 or surface uppermost, they pull it with force by one end. The knife re- 



* The quantity exported annually from Manilla to Europe and the United States, 

 is about 80,000 piculs, (i. e. of 140 lbs. each,) making about 11,200,000 lbs. En- 

 glish ; of which, about four-fifths is said to go to the United States. 



Vol. xLi, No. 1.— April-June, 1841. 26 



