38 PINE-APPLE IN INDIA. 
coasts near Pernambuco, and other parts of Brazil. So also 
B. (now Bilbergia) variegata, or Caroa, which grows in 
wild luxuriance for miles, and yields excellent twine for 
nets in Brazil; and the so-called New Orleans moss or “long 
beard” (Tillandsia usneoides), of which a bale was sent to the 
Exhibition of 1851, and proposed as a substitute for hair, for 
stuffing chairs, cushions, and mattresses. 
The fibre commonly called Curratow, is twisted into thick 
rope; one of these is said to have been in use for many years 
at the city of Paraiba, for hoisting in merchandise. Large 
anchors are said to have been dragged up with this rope, when 
those of hemp parted. (v. Koster’s ‘Travels in Brazil,’ ii, 
p. 341.) 
The cultivated Ananas, or Pine-apple, like the other species 
of Bromelia, is a native of the warm parts of the continent, 
or of the islands of America, The Spaniards and Portuguese, 
when introducing the plants of the Old World into the countries 
they discovered, also transferred some of those of America into 
the parts of the Old World with which they were connected, 
such as the west coast of Africa, the south of India, and the 
Phillipine Islands. In all of which, the pine-apple has become 
so established and apparently wild, as to be by some considered 
even to be indigenous. 
The Pine-apple (Ananassa sativa, formerly Bromelia 
Ananas), being a native of the moist forests of South America, 
from the level of the sea to elevations of about 1800 feet, 
requires, for its successful culture as a fruit, a warm and 
moist climate; but, like others of the family, the species are 
capable of existing in a warm, dry air. 
The Pine-apple is said to have been introduced into India 
by the Portuguese, in the year 1594. It has, in some parts, 
become so naturalised, as to appear indigenous. Capt. Turner, 
in his journey to Teshooloomboo, mentions it as very abundant 
at the foot of the Himalayas. It flourishes in Assam, and 
-forms thickets near Rangoon, producing, also, according to 
the accounts of different visitors, very juicy, well-flavoured 
fruit. Dr. Wallich, in the year 1836, presented to the Agri- 
cultural Society, a bag made on the Khasia Hills, of Pine-apple 
fibre, having purchased it for a trifle at Cherapoujee. He men- 
tions the enormous quantity of Pines grown on that range, and 
