we = 
CCCCLXXXVI.—RAFIA FROM WEST AFRICA— 
(continued.) 
A brief account was given in the Kew Bulletin, 1895 (pp. 88-92), of 
in 
agascar. It is used for e nio by gardeners, as we 
making mats and decorative artic 
A sample of West African Rafia, obtained from the leaflets of Raphia 
vinifera, locally known as the Bamboo palm, was brought to Kew by 
Mr. Henry Millen, Curator of the Botanic Station at Lagos, in August 
last. The following reports were obtained on this sample :— 
Messrs. [pe and CHRISTIE to ROYAL GangpENs, Kew. 
72, Mark Lane, London, E.C. 
DEAR Sir, ee fe d 4, 1895. 
flat-open. The trade, unless in famine, would not entertain it ; appear- 
ance goes a long way nowadays, although for some tying purposes, this 
f asked for a value, we would hazard 20/. per 
Yours ‘faithfully, 
(Signed) IDE and CHRISTIE. 
D. Morris, Esq., C.M.G., D.Sc., 
Royai Gardens, Kew. 
nec J. A. Note & Co. to ROYAL GARDENS, Kew. © 
ieee Sale 136, Fenchurch Street, London, E.C., 
Dear Sir, September 6, 1895. 
Wr are favoured "with your letter of the 3rd instant, with 
sample of Lagos Rafia. We are desirous of showing this to the 
consumers as well as to d dealers. With the latter there will 
culty in getting them to put it forward in the place of the 
Ma tig Rafia, as as it is Det eve sees d €: sm aller buyers will 
not look to colour so much as strength. e see no reason why it may 
not be broader, as it has dabis been allowed to curl up in the 
preparation, and is consequently harsh, with a tendency to cut in the 
using. It is certainly the mong we have seen from the West Coast ; 
what we i vec before has been soft and good colour, but very 
tender and un 
i cm again after we have given the consumers an 
D. Morris, Esq., C.M.G., D.Sc., 
Royal — Kew. 
