PLANTAINS. 95 



The Plata no maclio (Miisa sapicntuin) , is the largest of 

 the species. It has a fruit which grows sometimes to tlie 

 length of twelve inclies or more. Each plant produces a 

 bunch containing from twenty to sixty fruits closely grouped 

 together. It weighs from thirty to one hundred pounds. 



Another common species is Miisa paradisiana , so called 

 from an allusion to an old notion of beina- the forbidden fruit 

 of Scripture. 



The fruits of this species are small, only about three 

 inches long. When ripe, they are very delicate eating. 



Many other species are known, and all of them are used 

 for food. All animals are fond of them. When over ripe, 

 I have seen hundreds of beetles and butterflies feeding upon 

 them, and some of the rarest species which 1 have collected 

 were caught when feeding upon these fruits. I believe 

 the fermented juice of the over ripe fruits intoxicate them, 

 as I have always seen them more or less stupefied when 

 feeding on plantains, to the point of allowing one to catch 

 them easily with the hand. During the last few years, a large 

 trade in these fruits has developed between the United 

 States and the Atlantic ports of America and West Indies. 

 In 1892, in the months of August and September, seventy- 

 eight thousand tons have been imported to the United 

 States, the result of which has been, that the culture of this 

 fruit is increasing to a remarkable degree. 



A good many tons have also been imported to several 

 parts of Europe, especially to England, but it is quite in- 

 significant compared with the importations to the United 

 States. 



It is the most nutritious and the most prolific of all 

 know^n plants. It requires very little labour, and a mere 

 patch of ground, say of one hundred yards square, will suffice 

 to sustain a whole family. Not only the fruit, but everv 

 part of the plant is useful. The leaves make a good shelter, 

 and are employed by the Indians to cover their huts ; and its 

 fibres can compete with the best qualities of cotton or flax. 



Lately, a very good quality of paper has been made with 

 the fibres, and at a very small cost. The supply of this 

 material being unlimited, it is probable that it will greatly 

 reduce the cost of paper. The sap of the stem and the skin 

 enveloping the fruit contain a very strong acid, which 

 blackens hands and clothes, and is not easilv disposed of, 

 I believe that no one has ever studied its properties, but it is 

 probable that a good ink can be obtained from it, and no 

 doubt manv other uses will be found for it. 



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