140 COMMERCIAL BOTAKT. 



The introduction of Piassaba fibre into England for 

 brush-making dates back about forty years, and is almost, if 

 not entirely, due to the exertions of Mr. Arthur Eobottom. 

 When first introduced, it was used exclusively for road- 



Bahia PiASSiBA {Attalea funifera). 



brushes or brooms, which were generally known as whale- 

 bone brooms \ indeed, before the nature of the material was 

 fully ascertained it was considered to be split whalebone. 

 The fibre is easily collected from the trunks by cutting it 



