247 
Habitat. 
product and  is  a member  of  the  family  of  plants  which  yield  the 
fibre  known  as  bow-string  hemp. 
3.  The  Sansevierias  belong  to  the  natural  order  Hoemodoraceoe 
and  are  small  perennial  plants  with  short,  thick 
Classification.  j.j-,j2omes  and  flesl'.y  or  leathery  radical  leaves,  mot- 
tled or  spotted,  and  varying  according  to  the  species  from  two  to 
seven  feet  in  length. 
Most  of  the  species  are  natives  of  tropical  Africa,  but  are  widely 
distributed  throughout  the  tropics  of  both  hemis- 
pheres. Probably  the  most  common  species  in  the 
Malay  Peninsula  is  S.  guineensis,  which  yields  the  Konje  hemp. 
It  is  a somewhat  similar  plant  to  S.  zeylanica,  which  also  occurs  here 
in  a state  of  cultivation  but  has  larger  and  flatter  leaves  and  pro- 
duces a more  valuable  fibre. 
4.  Sansevierias  are  easily  propagated  by  division  of  the  rhi- 
zome or  from  seed,  or  more  readily  still  from  the 
Propagation.  leaves,  w'hich  may  be  cut  into  small  pieces  about 
three  inches  long  and  placed  in  a moist  situation  when  they  will 
readily  take  root. 
5.  With  the  exception  of  S.  Ehrhenbergii,  which  is  a native  of 
Somaliland  and  would  probably  only  thrive  in  an 
ProSvTalu-  situation,  these  plants  enjoy  a good  soil,  moist 
able  as  a “catch  climate  and  a moderate  amount  of  shade,  and  for 
crop."  this  reason  would  probably  be  valuable  to  Para  rub- 
ber planters  as  an  auxiliary  crop. 
The  voung  plants  should  be  put  out  about  two  feet  apart  and 
the  same  distance  between  the  rows,  and  when  once  established 
permanent  crop,  yielding  regular  cut- 
a vear. 
they  may  be  regarded  as  a 
tings  of  leaves  several  times 
6.  The  leaves  of  all  the 
Product. 
species  contain  an  abundance  of  fibre 
noted  for  its  fineness,  elasticity  and  strength.  Murv^a 
fibre  is  as  yet  hardly  known  to  commerce,  but  is 
largely  used  by  natives,  who  hold  it  in  high  esteem  for  making  bow- 
strings, ropes,  mats,  etc.  The  fibre  from  S.  guineensis  (Konje  fibre) 
and  S.  cylindrica  (Ife  hemp)  are  much  valued  in  Europe  for  the 
manufacture  of  ropes,  especially  those  used  for  deep  sea  soundings. 
7.  The  fibre  is  obtained  from  the  fresh  leaves,  either  by  scrap- 
Preparation  of  ing  away  the  cellular  tissue  by  means  of  a blunt  knife 
the  fibre.  or  by  washing  and  beating.  Mdien  the  pulp  is 
thoroughly  removed  the  fibre  should  be  washed  in  ch^an  water  and 
hung  in  the  shade  to  dry,  and  when  perfectly  dry  packed  in  bales 
and  pressed  and  is  then  reach^  ft>r  export. 
It  will  be  seen  that  the  method  of  preparation  in  vogue  is  cpiite 
simple,  although  the  fibre  would  doubtless  be  improved  bv  the  aid 
of  a suitable  decorticating  machine. 
(S.  I am  not  in  possession  of  any  data  w’ith  regard  to  the  vield 
of  leaves  or  of  prepared  fibre  in  this  country  ; but, 
judging  from  the  plants  I have  seen  scattered  about 
Yield. 
