12 



Pavonia Malva Malvaviscus Daphnopsis. 



Zeylanica.' sylvestris. arboreus. 



Moisture. 8.7 12.1 10.7 13.2 



Ash 3.4 2.7 4.9 4.5 



Hydrolysis (a) 11.0 19.2 19.9 27.0 



« (b) 12.8 27.6 24.5 31.2 



Pellulose 75.0 57.0 65.0 63.0 



Mercerising 14.2 



Nitration 107.6 92.8 79.3 



Acid purification 6.8 4.7 



TJltimate fibres. Length 1-1.5 mm. 5-12 mm. 1.5-2 mm. 5-7 mm. 



On the above results the Pavonia is noticeable for the evidences of a " sound" chemical constitu- 

 tion, and Malva sylvestris for the satisfactory length of its ultimate fibres. If improved by cultivation 

 these fibres would be doubtless capable of application 



The Mulvaviscus and Daphnopsis fibres might prove useful to the paper-maker : more especially 

 the latter, by reason of the length of the ultimate fibre. 



There are two fibres of this class which are deserving of general mention as having a probable 

 future in West Indian Commerce, viz. : Rhea and Sida. The former has been so extensively discussed 

 that it would be impossible to add anything of practical significance to what is already known ; the sub- 

 ject is moreover treated in its relation to the West Indies by Mr. Morris in the brochure already alluded 

 to. Sida. rhombifolia, which is also mentioned by Mr. Morris as indigenous to the Islands, has been 

 discussed in the report upon the Queensland section, in whicb very excellent specimens were exhibited. 

 It is unnecessary to repeat what has there been said. The fibre is certainly equally deserving of atten- 

 tion in the West Indies. 



Reverting to the exhibits, we come to those included in the lowest class of raw materials. 



In the Guiana section there are — in addition to fibres identical with those already described — a 

 number of basts, of which I selected two for special investigation, as typical of the class. They are des- 

 cribed under the native names, Enouroo and Kokoyoko. The following results were obtained on 

 analysis : — 



Enouroo. Kokoyoko. 

 Moisture ... 12.1 ... 13.3 



Ash ... 7.4 ... 3.8 



Cellulose ... 50.5 ... 38.0 



Ultimate fibres. Length 1-2 mm. ... 3-4 mm. 



These substances cannot be considered therefore as having any value for the European Markets 



Meg ass. — Some attention has been given to this refuse as a raw material for paper-making, and a 

 good specimen of half stuff, rolled into sheets, is exhibited. In its general features the pulp obtainable 

 from the sugar cane is similar to that yielded by the bamboo, as is only to be concluded from the close 

 affinities of the plants. It is inferior, however, in containing more cellular debris, and in length of fibre 

 the bast cells seldom exceeding 2.5 mm., whereas the average in bamboo is 3. Such a material cannot 

 be recommended to paper-makers ; and it is doubtful whether by any process it, could be converted into 

 a useful paper-making material, at a reasonable cost. 



Banana. — Lastly, we have to consider a fibrous substance, also very low in the scale of raw materials, 

 but which would be of great importance to these Colonies, provided it could be suitably and cheaply 

 prepared, and an outlet found for the product, this substance is the refuse stalks of the edible Banana. 

 Tbe fibrous basis of these stems are ultimate fibres of fair length (2-3mm.) and of which the paper- 

 making properties are well established : there are, moreover, easy of isolation. The specimen of 

 " Musa Stock " exhibited in the Jamaica Court yielded on analysis 27 per cent, of cellulose. By long 

 boiling in weak alkali, then bruising and washing to remove cellular matter, and bleaching in hypoch- 

 lorite, i.9., paper-maker's treatment, I obtained from the raw material 31 per cent, of a well-bleached 

 clean tough fibre, a most useful basis for strong wrapping papers. On the other hand so low a yield 

 must be regarded as prohibitory. Of course it would be perfectly easy to concentrate the substance, as 

 I may term it, in removing the cellular matter by a simple treatment such as that above described ; 

 and it is needless to say that a raw material yielding on treatment 50 to 60 per cent, of such fibre would 

 command a fair price in European markets. The question of the preparation of the Banana stems into 

 a paper material for export has been fully dealt with in its local aspects by Mr. Morris, in the pam- 

 phlet before alluded to. On this side of the question, therefore, we need say nothing. The commer- 

 cial issue entirely depends upon the cost of putting down the treated material, at the several ports in 

 such a condition that under the further treatment necessary for its conversion into a paper pulp the 

 loss shall not exceed, say, 40 per cent. The value of such a raw material I should estimate, at present 

 rates at about £8 a ton. This matter should be thoroughly tested forthwith and a decision arrived at. 



In this general account of the West Indies in relation to the subject it will be understood that 

 British Guiana and British Honduras are, by their geographical and other circumstances, to be con- 

 sidered as included. 



ST. HELENA. 



Mr. Morris, in his report upon the resources of this island (1884), has pointed out the possible 

 development of a supply to the European markets of Aloe and Phormium fibre. The latter is tha 



