374 STRENGTH OF RHEEA AS COMPARED WITH HEMP ROPE. 
Hemp and of as nearly as possible the same size, I am happy 
to report that in every instance the Wild Rheea has proved 
stronger than Russian Hemp, and in the case of the two-inch 
rope the Indian fibre bore 1000 lb. more than the Russian. 
The cultivated Rheea, which is equally strong, will, I hope, be 
applied to better purposes than rope-making ; but it is important 
that the Wild Rheea is proved by these experiments to be fit 
for every purpose for which strong fibre is required, either in 
Europe or in India.” 
A few experiments were also made with rope made of other 
Indian fibres. 
“Plantain and Pine-apple fibres, though less strong, are 
capable of bearing considerable weights, and might be used for 
many ordinary purposes. But the fibre of the Agave, com- 
monly called American Aloe, is capable of bearing a great 
strain, and the plants have the peculiarity of being able to 
flourish in a dry soil and climate, such as that of the Deccan 
and of Mysore. The Dhunchee fibre of Bengal, which is hardly 
known in this country, appears to be as strong as Russian 
Hemp, and is, I understand, as easily cultivated and as cheap 
as Jute. The results which have been obtained will be incor- 
porated in my forthcoming account of Indian fibres.” 
lb. 
Wuckoo Fibre small Cord A . : . : - broke at 86 
Petersburgh Hemp Cord 5 . . ‘ : - is . 170 
Wild Rheea Cord, same size as Russian . ‘ . f . 190 
Rheea Fibre Cord, one thread larger 3 . . . : . 230 
Pound line of Wild Rheea_.. é % ‘ 7 F . 510 
Six-thread Cord of Petersburgh Hen . ‘ ‘ : » 505 
Six-thread Ratline of Rheea, tarred és ‘ - F ‘ « 525 
Six-thread do. of Wild Rheea, do. ‘ ¥ . P - 530 
Nine-thread do. of Wild Rheea, do. ‘ s ‘ : ‘ . 860 
Twelve-thread do. of Wild Rheea,do. . ‘ ‘ F . 1120 
One-inch Rope of Wild Rheea 5 ‘ ‘ ‘ . 1350 
One-and-half-inch Rope of Wild Rheea, darned ‘ ‘ : - 1900 
One-and-half-inch Rope of Wild Rheea, do. . : . : » 1900 
Two-inch Cord of Russia Hemp  . F ‘ i ‘ : . 1800 
Two-inch Rope of Rheea Fibre, tarred . z . ‘ : . 2800 
Twelve-thread Rope of Plantain, made in India . ‘ : . 864 
Twelve-thread do. of Pine-apple, do. . A . i ‘i . 924 
Two-inch Cord of Russia Hemp . : ‘ ‘ F . 1800 
Two-inch Rope of Dhunchee fibre, made in Tadia é : ; . 1850 
Two-inch Rope of Agave, usually called Aloe, do. ‘ ‘ . 1900 
