PLANTAIN PAPER AND CORDAGE. 87 
it will also diminish strength, and want of free ventilation may 
produce disease. For separating the fibre, it may be a question 
whether smooth or grooved cylinders will be best for so fleshy 
and moist a substance, but it is very necessary to remember 
that the pulp or the fibre must be thoroughly dried, in order 
that it may not undergo decomposition when in transit in the 
hold of a ship. 
Of the value of the Plantain fibre for paper-making, there 
can, I conceive, be no doubt. Some paper, though unbleached, 
but excellent as far as substance and tenacity are concerned, 
was sent from India by Dr. Hunter, in 1851. In the year 
1846, Mr. May showed the author some beautiful specimens of 
note and letter paper made from Plantain fibre. He was at 
that time anxious to establish a manufactory for Plantain paper 
in Calcutta, but subsequently went to one of the British colonies 
in South America; and we have also noticed (p. 89) the fact 
of a gentleman having shown specimens of paper made from 
Plantain fibre in Demerara. Mr. Routledge subsequently made 
some excellent paper, both of a tough and of a fine quality, 
from the fibres of species of Musa—sheets of which he has 
presented to the author, who has lately seen specimens of 
similar paper in the hands of Mr. Sharp. Besides which, ex- 
cellent paper has for some time been made from the refuse of 
or from worn-out Manilla rope. All which facts prove that an 
excellent material for paper-making may be had in inexhausti- 
ble supplies, whenever those chiefly interested choose to take 
the necessary measures for securing such a supply. 
We may now therefore notice the other uses to which 
Plantain fibre can be applied. 
Lieut.-Col. Whinyates, Principal Commissary of Ordnance, 
in a letter to the Secretary to the Military Board at Madras, 
states that the Plantain oakum or tow sent by Dr. Hunter is 
“undoubtedly of a very superior description, and admirably 
adapted for packing. From the soft, elastic character of the 
fibre, he also conceives that it would be a desirable substitute 
for coir in stuffing hospital beddings, &. But he fears that 
the supply is too limited, and the cost all too high, being 
at that time (October 29th, 1850) about three annas the 
pound.” 
