FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 431 



the West Indies. The leaves yield a valuable fibre, 

 which is woven into textile fabrics in the Philippines, 

 Singapore, and Malacca. The fibre intended for 

 similar purposes is a large article of commerce 

 between Singapore and China. Fishing-lines and 

 ropes are made of this fibre ; and in Bengal the leaves 

 are retted for four or five days, and the fibres are 

 converted into twine, which is used by local shoe- 

 makers. The fibre works " wet " in pulping ; but 

 makes a good strong paper, which bears ink well. — 

 ' Spon's Encyclopaedia of the Industrial Arts, Manu- 

 factures and Commercial Products,' pp. 918 and 

 1027. 



Distribution : Cultivated in Upper Guinea. 



H^MODORACE^. 



African Bowstring Hemp, Blaw of Akkrah (San- 

 seviera guineensis, Willd.). — Stemless perennial plant, 

 having lance-shaped leaves from one to four feet long, 

 and three to four inches wide. The natives of 

 Akkrah prepare a useful fibre from this plant in the 

 following manner. With the view of obtaining fibre 

 of the length necessary for their purposes they select 

 the exterior or largest leaves in preference to the 

 others ; these in the first instance are well beaten 

 between two stones, then placed in water or in holes 

 dug out of the ground, and closely covered over with 

 moist soil for three days ; at the expiration of this 



