96 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



plains and lowlands of Jamaica, and an effort was made some time ago to prepare the 

 fiber for commercial purposes. The report of the brokers upon a sample of 90 pounds 

 was as follows : "A long, towzeled, weak fiber, of bad color, coarse, no strength, and 

 only fit for breaking up. Similar to St. Helena hemp tow, but not so good. We 

 should think £12 to £10 per ton the utmost value." Several samples of this pinguin 

 fiber, from Jamaica and elsewhere, cleaned both by hand and by machine, are to be 

 seen in the Kew Mus., Xo. 2. 



* Specimens of the fiber were secured from the exhibit of British Guiana, W. C. E., 

 1893. " Used for commercial purposes only to a slight extent. Probably used for 

 cordage by natives employed in making cables and large ropes for use on the rivers." 

 (Quelch.) The Kew Bulletin for September, 1892, states that the fiber of the pinguin 

 was carefully investigated by the botanical department in Jamaica in 1884. The 

 plant covers hundreds of acres in the island, and it Avould readily support a large 

 industry. Great difficulty was, however, experienced in extracting the fiber by 

 machinery, without maceration, and the results were by no means satisfactory. 

 Several samples were forwarded to London and to Xew York for the opinion of brok- 

 ers, and the London reports were as follows : " Poor, dull fiber, gummy, fair strength, 

 value about £20. Almost unsalable in the form sent, not well dressed, not good 

 color, and in some parts rather tender. If this was better dressed it might have a 

 sale, but in the present form, when so gummy, it is difficult to form an estimate 

 of it." 



Spon refers to the fiber "yielded by the leaves of B. pigna (pinguin), a native of 

 the Philippine Islands, being woven into a most delicate textile fabric, known as 

 pigna cloth, from which the celebrated manila handkerchiefs are made;" and M. 

 Perroutel is said to have considered the pineapple cloth of the Philippines the product 

 of a distinct species, which he called B. pigna, but this has been determined to be 

 the cultivated pineapple, Ananas satira, in a semiwild state. Specimens of " guamara" 

 fiber were secured from the Mexican exhibit, W. C. E., 1893. Dr. Ernst refers gua- 

 mara to B. pinguin, though the name has also been given to Karatas plumieri. 



Bromelia serra. Chaguar. 



This species abounds in the northwestern portions of Argentina. The fiber is 

 chiefly used by the Indians, who manufacture it into cords, hammocks, sacks, etc., 

 known as chaguar. In the Kew Mus. is shown a cuirass of chaguar fiber made by the 

 Mataeo Indians of Argentina. "When worn by these people it is padded before 

 and behind with cotton from the fruit of the Yachan, Chorisia insignis. By rolling 

 themselves in water, the fiber swells and the whole becomes arrow proof." (Off. 

 Guide Kew Mus.) 



Bromelia sylvestris. 



A form of ' ' wild pineapple " found in the West Indies and Central America. While 

 many examples of its fiber have been sent to the Department from time to time, spe- 

 cifically named B. sylrestris, I have serious doubts as to the correctness of the labeling 

 in a majority of instances, for they not only differ widely when compared, but the 

 statements concerning them give evidence of error and confusion. 



Botanical description. — B. sylrcstris Willd. ; Sims in Bot. Mag., t. 2392. Agallos- 

 tachys sylvestris Beer. — Acaulescent. Leaves ensiform, rigid, 3 to 4 feet long, H inches 

 broad low down, narrowed gradually to the point, bright green on the face, thinly 

 albo-lepidote on the back, armed with strong hooked prickles. Peduncle a foot or 

 more long, its leaves reflexing, the upper bright red. Inflorescence a narrow panicle 

 with short spaced-out corymbose branches, all subtended by bright-red bracts, the 

 lower with rigid spine-edged tips. Ovary pubescent, cylindrical-trigonous, about 

 an inch long ; sepals nearly as long as the ovary. Petals reddish, not matted at the 

 tip, protruding one-fourth of an inch from the calyx. (Dr. Baker.) 



Structural Fiber. — Occurs in various forms, the age of the plant making a differ- 

 ence in the appearance and quality of the fiber. Dr. Morris states that "there are 



