88 
canes have been in a great measure protected by the leaf-sheaths up to 
a later period than is usually the case, consequently so many canes 
have not yet been killed by the rind fungus as there were at this time 
last year, but it is now greatly on the increase, On the other hand, 
there is very much more root disease apparent ; this is, in my opinion, 
due in a great measure to the spores of the rind fungus being worked 
into the soil in the process of cultivating it, and to, in many instances, 
plants containing the fungus being used for replanting the estates. On 
some of the estates where I knew the tops of canes affected with rind 
fungus were used as plants last December year, the fields are now, as 
was to be expected, badly diseased. On the other hand, it is with 
sites x is a marked sae and if all the pinarvers were to 
has been neni uecessful on the estates to which I refer, I Pace vot 
the slightest doubt et that in a few years the disease will have nearly, 
if not dry disappeared, but so long as there are M rs who take 
plants from diseased canes, as some have done up to quite mane 
so long will the disease continue to give trouble, and occasio 
cil qdcw endgab Lett ash: St Sapna) Joun R. BovELr 
Dipakena. 
The Bill was thrown out in the cea — March 26, by 
the casting vote of the President, Sir George P 
CCCCLIV.—RAFIA FROM WEST AFRICA. 
In the Kew Bulletin for 1891, pp. 1-5, an account is given of West 
African bass fibre, prepared from the base of the leaves of the Bamboo 
palm (Raphia vinifera). Since that time African bass has become a 
recognised article of commerce. The price at first was about 427. per 
ton; it rose to 56/. per ton, but latterly, in competition with similar 
fibre from the Palmyra palm, the Kitool, and the original bass lini 
in Brazil, known as Para and Bahia piassaba, i it has been quoted at 207. 
to 302. per ton. eem at the latter price it supports a eRitisidérable 
industry in West Afric 
It appears prótubur "that the Bamboo palm may be made available 
also for other uses. A strong, useful material known as Raphia o 
Rafia is shipped to x country fr from Madagascar. According to the 
Rev. Richard Baron, F.L.S. A ew ri ves p- an it is —— 
* from the young “unopened leaves of the Raphia 
Ruffia, Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm, iii., p. 217 "eR. peduneuiate, G )is is 
confined to Madagascar. [t is widely spread in the island, chiefly in 
valleys, up to an elevation of 4000 feet. It is also found abundantly 
along the coast. The get leaves are 20 to 30 feet in length, with 
numerous narrow leaflets, varying from 24 to 5 feet long. a i 
a peeling off the cuticle (with some of the underlying fibro- 
vascular bundles) on one or both sides of the leaf. It is used locally for 
delicate plaited and woven fabrics, cloths, and hats, as well as for mats 
Ett mo id. wrapping up goods. More rectis ie lone 
