2 
abound in a very valuable fibre, remarkable alike for fineness, elasticity, 
and for strength. 
Usually the leaves are not more a 1} to 2 feet long; in some 
species such as S. guineensis and S > eylinttrica the leaves attain a 
length of 3 or 4 feet : while in one species, n native of tropical Africa, the 
leaves under favourable circumstances attain a length of 9 feet. In 
this species, for particulars of which and for samples of its fibre we are 
indebted to Sir John Kirk, G.C.M.G., Consul-General at Zanzibar, the 
quality of the fibre is exceptionally good. We have doubtless here a 
new fibre plant of great v 
In the treatment of the leaves of Sansevierid hy machinery, the great 
drawback hitherto experienced has been their comparatively small size, 
and the difficulty of cleaning the fibre contained in them in an ex xpedi- 
tious and remunerative manner. These circ cristae would not obtain 
in the case of the plant brought into notice by Sir John Kirk. Indeed, 
for moist tropical climates, as opposed to the dry, hot, and arid distriets 
of Yucatan where the Sisal hemp is grown, this and S. don if 
they are really distinct would be likely to prove of exceptional like as 
fibre a nts. 
may be merero that all “aes k Sansevieria prefer a rich moist 
and a comparatively humid clim They are essentially tropical 
shit and do not pari ina iate less than 60° Fahr. Under 
such conditions they grow rapidly and establish themselves permanently 
by means of large spreading fleshy rhizomes or underground stems. -It 
is true they will grow in comparatively dry districts, and even in st 
strongly impregnated with salt ; but their growth under such circ 
stances is Men apie and the leaves are seldom large enough to sroduiee 
marketable fi 
Dr. eas oie that the fibres of Sansevierias might be called 
Bowstring hemp, = e the natives of the Circars make their best 
bowstrings of them. On the other hand, small samples of fibre so 
ak gr re shih have arag in the London market, have bee 
called African bowstring hemp. These fibres are very firm, hair “like 
and silky, sad closely resemble those of the pine-apple ; they are said 
to take dyes very readily; and the tow is mentioned by Royle to have 
been converted into good paper at Trichinopoly. 
Plants of ee de are already abundant in a wild or semi-cul- 
tivated state i most tropi ical countries. They are capable of being 

T AS o bm been of this plant Mr. Baker remarks as tai 
<= We a specimen in flower from Buchanan, ‘Shire highla i; Zambes 
Yields a ioe excellent fibre’ So far as can se judged bya rough viel Sir J ous 
vine is the same plant; and there seems no reason why it should not be identical 
h S. longiflora Jiri in Bot. Mag. t. 2634, of whioh we have specimens 
Gehie Angola, &e 

