oci of the fishing nets made by the natives living round Lake 
gami, 
The net which accompanied Mr. Nicolls’s letter has been forwarded 
by parcel post. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) HEencULES ROBINSON. 
Governor and High que Rd 
The T Hon. ue uma G.C.M.G., 
&e. 
Mr. Nicotts to Sir H. RoBiNsow. 
i British Bechuanaland, Makini 
Your EXCELLENCY, pril 16, 1889, 
the honour to acknowledge - receipt do Sir 
Sidney Shippard of certain communications from Lord Knutsford and 
the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, in referent to fish nets made 
by the natives around Lake Ngami an our by me in a report 
I have much pleasure in now forwardi iu by post this day a specimen 
of the nets in question, and should feel happy if the authorities at Kew 
would be willing to accept some. The net I sent is the joint property 
of mi € Hicks of this place and myself. Some months pio I 
h finer specimen to Mrs. Nicolls, Belmont, Navan, county 
Math, "Diod. and I have not the slightest doubt but that she ped 
be only too willing to present same to the Royal Gardens, if application 
were made for 
I beg to ford for information a short description ofthe det from 
which the nets are manufactured, 
am, &c. 
(Bigaedy Sua, AS Reached, 
The Right Hon. Sir Hercules G. Bibimon, P.C., G.C.M. 
Ke. &c. &c. 
Enclosure. 
Frsu Nets from Lakx NGAmi and the BOTLETLE RIVER. 
ast 
ward. It flourishes in pom dense shade afforded by forest trees on the 
margin of the lake and river banks, and is never discovered growing at 
at a distance of over 300 yards from the water. The plant itself, 
especially along the river, grows in impenetrable masses, attaining at 
most a height of about 5 feet. I stems, or, more properly, stalks, 
averaging about 1 inch in diameter, the points of such stems being 
furnished with a wonderfull de nuoc: head. The fibre is rather 
thicker than that obtained ax, and when — À re ie from the 
stack very closely resembles Aè fishing gut. In fa as been most 
successfully used for angling purposes in the Botletle River. It can be 
fairly stated that the stalk, in the raw state, is fully as tough, if not 
tougher wed a Manilla rope manufactured of the same thickne 
No criterion can Rees sibly be arrived at as to the durability of i 
fibre from the specimen of net forwarded to the Royal Gardens, | 
as the Makouba tile do not take the slightest trouble in drying their 
