129 
averaging about 1 inch in diameter, the points of such stems being 
furnished with a wonderfully sharp spear-like head. The fibre is rather 
thicker than that obtained from flax, and when freshly drawn from the 
279 very closely resembles fine fishing gut. In fact it has been most 
ccessfully used for angli x purposes in the Botletle River. It can be 
nets after using them. It may be interesting to note that in t the 
iapirabie thickets formed by the plant, that beautiful and rare ielien 
of the spotted bush buck of the pete and Botletle Rivers finds secure 
refuge from the attacks of man an 
Mafeking, April 16, 1889. 
N.B.—Mr. Nicolls, on his return from Lake Ngami, at the close of 
the present year, will be most happy to furnish the authorities at Kew 
with specimens of the roots and stalk of the plant in question. At the 
same sey = has to S his regret that, pra to the carelessness of 
n charge of his waggons on his journey from Lake Ngami 
last year, i entire number of specimens of plants, &c., with very few 
exceptions, have been unfortunately lost. 
8. 
Signed) JAMES NICOLLS. 
COLONIAL OFFICE to ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
Downing Street, 
SIR, May "99, 1889. 
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the laia to 
transmit to you for your information, with reference to the letter from 
this department of the 23rd instant, the papers noted in the subjoined 
schedule, which relate to the fibre fsh n neta from Lake Ngami 
(Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT. 
The Dire 
Reveal: Gadna Kew. 
Mr, NICOLLS to Sir S. SHIPPARD. 
British Bechuanaland, Mafeking, 
Your Hoxou April 16, 1889. 
In © sclera to the minute of the 12th instant and forwarded 
to me by direction, I have the honour to state that by post this day I 
forwarded to his Excellency the High Commissioner direct a opon 
of fish nets made by the natives around Lake Ngami. I regret having 
As I propose proceeding to t nr Bae District this year I shall be most 
happy to supply the Bede ie of the Royal Gardens at Kew with a 
quantity of the fibre on my return. 
I have, &e., 
(Signed) JAMES NICOLLS. 
Sir S. Shippard, K.C.M.G. 
&e. &e, 
8895 I 
