1 2I 5 ) 



Ficus Benjamina. — Roxb. " Waringin." This tree, common in 

 cultivation, produces a bast of considerable strength, it is of a 

 light brownish color, thick and irregular. The ultimate fibres 

 are white and woolly, lighter in color than those of the Terap, 

 but otherwise similar. Specimens of this bast were received from 

 Johore some years ago. 



F. cnartacea. — A small twiggy shrub, common in jungle, also 

 supplies a bast used as occasion requires by Malays. It is called 

 Kelampong Mata Punei, Kelampong Agas, and Poko Rami 

 Hutau. 



Hibiscus macrophyllus. — Tutok. This fine tree mallow is not 

 rare in the forests of the low country of Malacca. It attains a 

 height of about forty feet, and has rounded pubescent leaves 

 and large showy yellow flowers with a purple centre. The bast 

 is light brown in color and collected in strips J-inch wide and 

 of good length. It is readily split lengthwise and easily twisted, 

 flexible and strong. "A good sample of rope made from it in 

 Malacca is among the collection of fibres in the Botanic Garden 

 Museum. 



H. tiliaceus. — Waru, or Baru. A common sea-shore" tree 

 occurring all over the tropics. The bast is similar to that of the 

 preceding. Its fibre is said to be not as good as the best jute, 

 but to gain strength by wetting. Though used as a native fibre 

 all over the world, to a certain extent, it does not seem to find its 

 way into commerce, and here, at least, is seldom used. 



Hibiscus elatus. — Cuba bast. This West Indian tree mallow 

 has long been cultivated in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, 

 where it grows readily, if not very fast. The bast is in constant 

 demand in Europe at a high price, but the supply is inadequate. 

 The bark is said to be obtained by cutting down the tree, peeling 

 it, separating the bast from the outer bark and drying it in the 

 sun. Its chief use is in millinery for hats and such like work- 

 Its porousness makes it absorb dye easily without impairing its 

 texture. 



As the supply falls far short of the demand a substitute for 

 this fibre is much required. 



Thesbesia populnea. — Also known as Baru, is a common sea- 

 shore tree over most of the tropics, very similar in appearance to 

 Hibiscus tiliaceus. The leaves are, however, smooth ovate 

 ' cordate acute. The bast is something like that of Tutok. rather 

 darker red-brown, strong and pliable. It is occasionally used 

 in the Peninsula, as it is in most parts of the world, for cordage. 

 In Demerara it was said to be used formerly for coffee bags. 

 The supply is not sufficiently large for its commercial use. 



Alchornca villosa, Muell (Euphorbiacece). A common bushy 

 shrub, about 6 feet or more tall, gives a bast which the Malays 



