160 POPULAR ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



the quantity with accuracy. Its value is about £5 per ton 

 more than the best Russian hemp. 



Aloe Fibre, Pita, or Pite Hemp. Agave Americana. 

 (Nat. Ord. Aiyiaryllidacece.) 



A few bales of Pite hemp occasionally reach the English 

 markets, chiefly from St. Domingo j it is an excellent ma- 

 terial for cordage, resembling the Manilla more than the 

 common hemp. It is made from the leaves of the Agave, 

 or American Aloe as it is commonly called ; in South 

 America it is extensively used, particularly in Mexico, where 

 paper is also made from it. 



Pine-apple Pibre. — The fibre from the leaves of 

 Ananassa sativa and one or more species of Bromelia and 

 Tillandsia, (Nat. Ord. Bromeliacece.) 



The leaves of most of the plants of this Natural Order 

 contain an abundance of fine strong fibres ; those of the 

 the pine-apple were exhibited at the Great Exhibition, and 

 some very fine muslins have been manufactured from them 

 in the "West Indies and Brazil; and from a species of 

 Bromelia called Grawatha by the Brazilians excellent cord- 

 age is made. Pine-apple fibre has not yet however become 

 an article of British commerce. 



Prom another of the Bromeliacece, named Tillandsia 



