5 
Book of the Bahamas for 1879,” p. 10, it is stated that 66 tons were 
shipped in 1879 and 167 tons in 1878. Further, in a letter dated 
5th May 1887, Messrs. G.S. Saunders and Co., New London Street, E.C., 
inform us that they had received “a log of Sabicú from Jamaica, but 
under a nondescript name” ; while several imports of genuine w 
been received from the Bahamas, but generally small and badly grown, 
and (which oa and St. Domingo wood is not) very liable to “ wormy 
centres and o ; 
It is mee ta that at the Bahamas the tree is much smaller than in 
Cuba, and, probably owing to the soil or climate, it seldom attains a 
ome hei gut that 30 feet. The stem also would appear to be stunted 
crooked, owing to exposure to strong winds. The trees in Cuba are 
a to yield fine straight stems several feet in diameter, 
pecimens of Sabicú wood in the Kew museums are (1) from the 
Admiralty, received Nov. 16, 1855; (2) from Messrs. Saunders, received 
May 1887, said to be slightly “redder in colour” than us sual ; and (3) 
to these has now been added the fine piece or “ ship’s knee ” received 
as Horse-flesh Mahogany from the Bahamas Court at the Colonial and 
Indian PNE 1886. As regards the latter specimen, the curator 
of the museums points out that the amas wood is sar gs 
light in Weight, of a reddish colour, with occasional dark s 
rings are clearly efined, while the medullary rays are wide and 
eposit. This wood is much softer than the regular Sabicti wood of 
ee, and is easily cut. 
8, 
this ek a plate prepare for the Icones Plantarum of the 
a) 
®© 
n 
2 
Sg 
Ru 
ede 
et 
interest to corre respondents s in the West Ind may also lead to 
the z being recognised as growing in other ears than those here 
indica ed. 

XXIII.— MEXICAN FIBRE OR ISTLE. 
(Agave heteracantha, Zucc.) 
Under the name of Mexican fibre or istle, a short and somewhat 
harsh and stiff fibre comes into the London market, which is used in the 
Ide and Christie mention “that this fibre is pretty largely importe 
= « ie 261 per ton purposes, and its value in London [15th October 1887 ] 
“ is 26/. per The range of value of late years has tir from 221. 
‘ per ton to "B01. per ton. The fibre is quite unique as a vegetable 
& substitute for x bristles, and is used in the nan ari of cheap ` 
“ brushes of all so 
he origin of this Mexican fibre or istle has been involved in a good 
deal of doubt, but we believe that we have been able to trace its origin 
ed from Dr, Parry in 1879, and said to be 
derived yin Apis Ladayuili, Dr, Parry wrote ‘the introduction 
