204 
The species of a which yield Sisal hemp and fibres suitable for 
rope making and weaving, are discussed fully in the previous pages 
Such fibres are Daitari 3 feet, and often 5 and 6 feet in len 
They are soft and pliable, not so stout as the Mexican fibre or Istle, 
and would scarcely answer the same purpose. This latter is generally, 
only about a foot or a foot and a half in length, and is stout and 
ri 
id. 
There is little doubt, reiter that Mexican cra or Istle is derived 
from a group of Agaves with short leaves, and from the material avail- 
able at Kew, the nant ite is strongly in favour of Agave heteracantha, 
Zucc., being the species i! concerned. Indeed the specimens con- 
tributed by Dr. Parry to Kew in 1879, aS direct proof on this point. 
ince tie: above penne arks were written we have been favoure 
Dr. Newberry with a reprint of an article of “his in vibe Popular Science 
Monthly for SL, eet entitled “Food and Fibre Plants of the 
“ North Am r India At page 10 we find he identifies the 
n bata de a ‘of aie idia with Agave ee and attention 
is particularly drawn to the size of the leaves, about a foot to 18 inches 
in length, T ay the very strong eeeactel of the fibre contained in 
them. : rry’s observations are :— 
“ Another jei known but scarcely less valuable plant belonging to 
the same genus at heal ae Bo Bonbon ? Eas aati heteracantha) 
of tong ua and the unding cou Of this, the leaves 
a foot to 18 tiation. tr length, a ie me in a tuft like those of 
‘le donee plant (Agave americana). Though separated with some 
difficulty from the parenc ere bet in which they are enveloped, the 
fibres that traverse the leaves are numerous and very strong, and 
rest eee used by the Meias for the manufacture of ropes, 
Sack 
n the Kew museums there are specimens of Mexican fibre as fol- 
lows :—Prepared Mexican or Istle fibre, from Mr. A. Rowbottom ; fibre 
used by the Indians for making ropes and coarse sacking, from Dr. Parry, 
1879; a piece of cordage and Mexican hair-brush, made from Mexican 
fibre, contributed also by Dr. Parry ; and Mexican fibre or Istle as sold 
in London (value 267. per ton, received from Messrs, Ide and Christie, 
15th October 1887. 
LXIV.—MEXICAN FIBRE OR ISTLE—(continued). 
[K. B., 1890, pp. 220-224.] 
The source of Mexican Fibre or ae is Fise in the last 
article. The fibre is prepared from one or more species of Agave, but, 
as already stated, it is probable saa the plani known ye Lechuguilla 
(Agave heteracantha, Zuce., Agave Lec echuguilla, Torrey) yields the 
best qualities of Mexican Fibre or ‘Tatle used in the United States and 
in Europe. 
We are indebted to Mr. W. S. Booth, Belle Vue House, aia 
for the following further account of this fibre, prepared from his 
observations while travelling in Mexico, a few months ago :— 
Mexican Fibre or Istle. 
classed in England not according to the plant from 
which it is extracted, but in reference solely to the district from which 
