232 VEGETABIE FIBRES. 



for making coidr^ge) which makes the annaal produce of each 

 tree within a (Vaction of four pounds*. 



Besides, this palm abounds, probably, more than any other 

 in wine, furnishing sugar and ardent spirits; and when the 

 tree arrives at maturity, the pith of it is one of the varieties of 

 sago-meal, used by these people in their diet. Hence we have 

 every reason to think, that it wiiL prove one of the most pro- 

 fitable trees whick can be cultivated in warm countries, at least 

 in those where it will grow freely. 



I had various other plants in cultivation for further experi- 

 ments, when bad health obliged ir^e to desist and come to Eng- 

 land. From the following I had prepared the fibres, but had 

 not made any experiments on their strength. 

 A^ave Tube- Agave Tuberosa of the Hortus Kewensis, The large leaves 

 "^^sa. of this elegant species, which has lately been introduced into 



Bengal, are replete with strong white fibres, far superior in 

 appearance to thoic of Agave Americana (No. 11 of my first 

 paper.J 



Musae. The plantain, in its wild state, abounds in strong 

 fibres more or less fine. The species which we call Coccinea, 

 yields what is called Manilla hemp : at least it was sent to me 

 from China as that plant. 

 Helicteris isora Helicteris Isora. The inhabhants of the Malabar mountains 

 ernpioy this material for making twine and cordage. In Wy- 

 naad they call it Ky-walla-nara. It is strong, but rather coarsei 

 and of a dull colour. Various species of Sida, particularly 

 Rhoaibifolia, and Peripiocifolia, yield uncommonly fine fibres. 

 In Rhombifolia thev are particularly delicate. Urenalobata 

 and Sinuata also abound with them. In s'lort, the whole of the 

 plants of this extensive natural order, called by Linnaeus, Co- 

 Jumniferge, and by Jussieu, Malvaceae, are furnished with sub- 

 stitutes (or hemp and flax. 



P. S. Samples of most of the materials mentioned in this 

 paper, I have in my possession; and it is my intention to de- 

 posit them in the East-India Company's Museum, in Leadenhall 

 Street. 



XIII. 



* Some of the very best trees I have found to produce fully one 

 pound of the fibres in eacli leaf. 



