230 
lines, and prepared from one of the most ge of the palm trees of 
the colony, the Raphia vinifera, or “ Bam palm 
The “African me ” isin appearance a i ff and wiry fibre, varying 
diffcalt ie procure without injury to the tree. In diameter it varies 
from + of an inch, the latter of which may be accepted as the 
limit 3 abe to i admitted ina commercial sample for the European 
market. It is used, I believe, mainly in the aoe of ate 
brushes for various domestic and manufacturing purposes. The dem 
appears to be very large, and the price, as shown Shores is Sadna 
satisfactor 
The source of its supply in this colony alone may be said to be prac- 
tically + aac as will readily be acknowledged when its origin is 
explain 
The e Bamboo ” bre or Raphia wale d is perhaps the commonest 
tree in the swamps and low lands which line the waterways of the 
colony. Dense thickets of these palms, aktad ee by the palm wine 
ietheres or the bamboo cutter, push their way into the lagoons, and 
extend over the flood grounds, and even to a ie of from 15 to 20 
miles up the river valleys into the interior. The area ag sar by these 
Raphia forests it would be impossible to calculate, but it may be 
accepted without doubt that they extend throughout ‘the length of the 
colony, and to a distance of at least miles from the sea coast, and 
that over this area of about 5,000 square = a they form a considerable 
proportion of the vegetation, next only in numbers to the oil palm 
(Elæis guineensis) and the Mangrove pure izophora mucronata). te 
fact that one can steam for miles, as I have frequently done, wonderi 
to what commercial advantage they could be put, through aerarii 
Raphia groves on either hand in the Eastern waters, impresses one 
eee the extent of the acreage which must be overrun by this graceful 
pa. 
Everybody in the colony is aware of the prera paige of the Raphia 
palm ; how from its leaves hats, cloth, and cordag made; from its 
leaf-stems rafters, fences, and walls; and far je. See or bud of 
unopened leaves s palm wine of excellent quality. Of one part only the 
use seems not generally known, and it would appear that this particular 
portion of the tree, though hitherto en useless, is in reality of 
more value ig rg ing than all the r 
When the “ Bamboo” 
stem of the palms the ae presenta very ragged and uneven appearance, 
owing to the practice of leaving a portion of the leaf-stalk adhering to 
gives so stran appearance to a grove of Raphia palms. From 
these stumps Of the leat stalk the native fishing lines are made. The 
fibre is extracted by a process of soaking and scraping, which is exceed- 
ingly simple and is fully caren Shed every bamboo cutter and line 
maker. It is this fibre which i wn in the European market as 
“ African Bass,” and there is no nevi reason why, with a population 
a Maen even om with the sources of supply which at present monopolise 
the mar 
» # Ld 
Se is ihe SE RT Be aay Pe eae eS aR eee aA 
