194 
Bromelia argentina, Baker, n. sp. Leaves like those of B. Pin- 
guin, ensiform, rigidly coriaceous, 5 feet long, lj inches broad ex- 
clusive of the prickles above the dilated base, tapering very gradually 
to the point; prickles large, deltoid cuspidate, uncinate, brown and 
i alf, ab 
are about 3 inches seg and the upper 2 inches long. y ie 
o foot long i i 
the fewering state enr trigono g erse tose, an inch lu. 1 + inch 
o 
Sepals bei obtuse, an inch long. Petals r ed, lingulate, a 
= will be noticed that Mr. Baker considers the caso plant to 
early allied to E beige (Bromelia Pinguin, L) of the West 
Iodks and Central Am It has also some resemblanc ce, as regards 
leaf character alone, to Karalas Plumiert. The latter i isa well- known 
ment in Jamaica in 1884. “The 9s nt cov ers hundreds of acres in tlie 
island, and it would readily support a large industry. Great difficulty 
was, however, experienced in sa the fibre by machinery, without 
aceration, and the results were by no means satisfactory. Several 
samples were forwarded to London and New York for the iiaii of 
“ alkali upon it for melting away the gum, to see if a better product 
* could not be produced,” 
It is possible that the Caraguatá may yield cose more closely resembling 
that obtained from Karatas than from Pinguin. There are specimens 
H. 
Royal Gardens, and some samples of Pinguin: fibre in this collection 
cleaned by hand are of better quality than those prepared by machinery 
in Jamaica. The fibres obtainable from species of Dinei, includ- 
Kara 
of commercial importance; but, like e many others, they require suita 
appliances for their extraction, and until these are -— e € 
will remain unavailable for eny but the most limited p 
In regard to the local utilisation of Caraguatá fibre, the following 
extract is fg from a recent. Report by Mr. Arthur Herbert [Foreign 
892. Annual Series, No. 1,006, Diplomatie and Consular 
Reports on Trade and Finance. Paraguay ] — 
< Fhe Ee p called Caraguatá abounds and grows naturally in 
every part of vina ie Republic. ; 
