95 



diameter of from 9 to 10 inches. The outer portion of the bole is made up of 

 hardened masses of leaf bases and the trunk is very often black like that of the 

 blackboy and from the same cause — fire. Between the outside layer of pressed 

 leaves and the core or pith is a layer of fibrous material running the whole length 



Blackbov 



of the tree. This fibre is now used to a considerable extent in the manufacture of 

 brooms for street-sweeping, and of various classes of brushes of finer grade. The 

 core, on proper treatment, yields chemicals of commercial value, just as doe-; that 

 of the blackbov. 



