TRANSMISSION OF RHEEA FIBRE FROM ASSAM. 857 
to send for transmission to India. The improved appearance 
of the Rheea fibre sent by Major Hannay is owing to specimens 
sent out to him by Mr. W. Sangster. I would include in this 
direction for the Rheea fibre also the districts of Rungpore and 
of Dinagepore, where the same fibre is cultivated under the 
name of Kunkhoora, and where labour is more abundant than in 
Assam.” 
TRANSMISSION OF RHEEA FIBRE FROM ASSAM. 
In conformity to the orders of the Court of Directors, 
directions were sent by the Governor-General of India with 
printed copies of the papers to the Commissioners in Assam 
and Rajeshaye, and to Singapore. 
Colonel Jenkins, in his reply, dated 2d August, 1854, reports 
that Capt. Dalton, Collector of Luckimpore, did not expect to 
be able to obtain more than two or three tons, as the cultivation 
of the Rheea is at present confined to a few villages of fishermen, 
and that Major Hannay some time since abandoned the experi- 
mental cultivation which he had commenced, on account of the 
low prices then offered, which would not pay the cultivators. 
But it is stated—“ As the large introduction of this article 
amongst our articles of commerce is likely to be a matter of 
great importance, I would beg to recommend that Government 
should buy up any quantity, up to ten tons, procurable each 
season for the next three years.” This has been sanctioned by 
the Indian Government. 
Capt. Dalton writes: “The lowest price at which it is likely 
to be procurable is six annas a seer, or about £42 sterling a ton. 
When it is more extensively cultivated, and the best method of 
preparation thoroughly understood, so that, as in the reeling of 
silk, women and children may be employed as well as men, it 
ought not to cost more than four annas a seer, or £28 a ton.” 
He continues : 
“The process described in Dr. Royle’s aver, quoting from 
Major Hannay, is that commonly used by the natives of the 
province. Major Hannay practised a different method, which 
he calls the Indo-Chinese, which is not only the most cleansing, 
but also the cheapest.” (v. p. 363.) 
