THE TECHNOLOGIST. [August 1, 1864. 



NATAL FIBRES. 



a knowledge of these productions, as no doubt we shall profit by the in- 

 formation likely to be adduced. I am, &c, 



Botanic Gardens, Durban, April, 10, 1864. M. J. M'Ken. 



FIBROUS PLANTS OF NATAL. 



Hibiscus Cannabinus — Amaree, or hemp-like Hibiscus. — This plant is 

 much cultivated in India for its leaves, which are used as a vege- 

 table, and for its fibre, from which a kind of hemp is prepared. 



Hibiscus Furcatus. — The bark yields abundauce of strong white flaxen 

 fibres. 



Paritium Tiliaceum — Maho tree. — Produces a valuable fibre much used 

 for ropes. It is little affected by moisture, and hence is chosen for 

 measuring-lines, &c. The wood is white and light, useful for small 

 cabinet woik. 



Sida. — There are three species of this genus common here, the bark of 

 which yields abundance of delicate flaxy fibres. 



Crotalaria Capensis. — Yields a strong and tolerably soft fibre, but much 

 inferior to hemp. 



Sanseviera sp. — bowstring hemp. — The leaves of this plant abound in 

 fibre, remarkable for fineness and tenacity. 



Gomphocarpus and others belonging to the milkweed family, yield a 

 large quantity of fine silky fibre. 

 In addition to the above, there are many others which yield fibrous 



material, as the Grewia, Corchorus, 1'riumfetta, Urtica, Ficus, Hyphcene, 



Phoenix, frc. fyc. 



CQLTIVATED FIBRE-YIELDING PLANTS. 



Agave Americana— American aloe. — The fibres from the leaves of this 

 plant closely resemble those of Maguey, which is used in the manu- 

 facture of paper. Mayer, in his work on Mexico, observes : " The 

 best coarse wrapping or envelope paper I have ever seen is made 

 from the leaves of Agave Americana; it has almost the toughness 

 and tenacity of iron. 



Fourcroya gigantea. — Abounds in excellent fibre suitable for ropes, lines, 

 or paper. 



Pandanus sp. Vacoa — or screw pines. — The common sugar bags are 

 made fiom the leaves of this plant. The leaves are composed of 

 tough longitudinal fibres, white and glossy, and make excellent 

 cordage. 



Bromelia Pinguin. — Yields a strong fibre which is twisted into ropes, 

 and manufactured by the Spaniards into cloth, of which they make 

 hammocks, &c. 



Ananassa sativa — or pine apple. — The fibre of this plant is extensively 

 used in manufacturing the delicate fibre known to commerce as Pina. 



Yucca Aloifolia — or Adam's needle. — Abounds in fibre of fiue quality 

 and strong in nature ; it is known as silk grass. 



Phormium tenax. — New Zealand flax. - 



Plantain and banana. — Both the stems and leaves of these plants abound 



