V.—SISAL HEMP. 
Under this term are included fibres derived from probably more than 
zy species of Agave, and it is probable also that one species of Furcraea 
used. According to the locality where the industry is carried on or 
the port of shipment the fibre produced in Yucatan is called Sisal Hemp, 
which is the recognised name in the English market; or Jenequen or 
Henequen Hemp, which would appear to be the term more commonly 
used in the United States. Pita is another Central rE oi Pa fibre, but 
whether the produce of an Agave (A. americana) or of a Bromeliad 
(Karatas Plumieri) is not quite clear. Probably it is loosely hoolin to 
~ 
regards the species of Agave yielding Sisal Hemp Miller first 
described A. rigida (Dict. Ed. 8, 1768) in the following words : “ Lon 
= inch broad, being of a glaucous colour. The side leaves stand almost ` 
“ horizontally, but the centre leaves are folded over each other and 
* enclose the flower-bud.” 
This may be accepted in a large sense as the representative species of 
which there are several sub-species at varieties cultivated by the 
natives of Yucatan from time immem 
ae to Dr. Engelmann (Trans. ‘Acad. Science, St. Louis, Vol. 
LEB, 1875) a common native species in Yucatan called Chelem by 
es 
spines, have been recognised, to which names more or less distinct are 
now 
r Bak er has given a Synopsis of the Genus Agave in the Gardener's 
Cronicle (Vols. VII. and VIII., New Series, 1877). The plants men- 
tioned below are included under the group Rigide, having the edge 
of the thin horny leaf without th distinct border, and the teeth (when 
present) small but distinct and deltoid. He remarks that this j is a con- 
siderable group of which A. ass and A. rigida may be a as 
the types intermediate between the groups Americanae and Aloideae 
(the Chelem), it would be better to retain this as the aggre gate po 
and place the others among the varieties which have ee in course of 
long Ste Sallivation d in different parts of the peninsula of Yuca 
e then, 
re RIGIDA, Mill. 
var. 1. A. pom Karw. ; ; A. ixtlioides, H.K leaves 14-2 ft. long, 
eeth 
istant. 
2. A pren Jacobi: leaves 4-5 ft., glaucescent and 
toothed. 
3. A. Sisalana, Perrine; leaves 4-6 ft. long, pale green 
not glaucous, generally without teeth. 



* Accordiñg to Miller Pita fibre is derived from Furcrea gigantea, which would 
make it identical with Mauritius Hemp. Dr. Perrine on the other hand mentions 
Agave Irtli “as furnishing a fine fibre called Pita 
a 50702. Ag 
