50 
the report makes no mention o it. 
— Prof. Grabe then enters into a description of the physical and 
chemical properties of euxanthone. He discusses its chemical con- 
stitution and indicates the method by which he has succeeded in 
artificially preparing it. 
do not add a salt of magnesia. This certainly does not seem likely, and 
t ” 
———? 
CXXXV.—BOMBAY ALOE FIBRE. 
(Agave vivipara, L.) 
the name of Manila hemp (yielded by Musa textilis), Bulletin, 1887, 
April, p. 1, and from Yueatan under the name of Sisal hemp (yielde 
exceptionally low. In fact, had it not been for the relatively large 
emand for white rope fibres during the last two years this ombay 
Aloe fibre would be unsaleable at a price that would hardly cover the 
led to an inquiry respecting the plant yielding it. Applicati 
made to the India Office to obtai i : de divvibg plam aid 
and full particulars respecting the preparation of the fibre have now 
been received at Kew. It appears that Bombay Aloe fibre is prepared 
from the leaves of Agave vivipara, L. in a crude manner by natives, and 
so far no attempt has been made to establish regular plantations. 
Agave i ads L. (Wight Icones, t. 2024 ; A. cantula, Roxburgh’s 
, vol. 
of the Old World. It is said to be commoner in Upper than in Lo 
India, and especiallyin the North-West Provinces. Teis almost Psi 
in Bengal (Watt, Dict. vol. i. p. 143). Although resembling A. ame- 
fue somewhat in habit, it is more closely allied to A. lurida. The 
: s (dex rti are from 4 to 5 feet long, rather narrow and concave, 
: in but firm in texture, ending in a brown spine about half an inch 
ong. The teeth are sub-distant, brown and hooked, } to 1 inch long. 
The flowers borne upon a tall branched flowering stem, about 20 feet or 
more in height, are greenish yellow. The specific name of the plant is 
derived from the fact that the flowers are often changed into bulbillas ; 
2 ee into plants with leaves from 6 to 9 inches long before they 
f M ` bpeti een states that on a rich soil the plant is viva- 
3d aS i ee sag stony soil and under a dry climate, seeds 
The utilisation of Agave vivipara as a ñbre plant on a large scale i 
I of a very recent date, Dr. Watt, ira notice of the sect, 
oes not refer to it as the origin of Bombay Aloe fibre, and apparentl y 
he was unacquainted with the fact. The only reference to the fibre is 
