BASKETS. 
3 
tern was a matter of uncertain conjecture, and 
the brightly striped shirts gaping at the neck, 
all made these vendors picturesque curiosi- 
ties — more interesting indeed than the 
curios they sold. 
Native Industries. 
BASKETS. 
Popularity. Of late the basket has come 
into very general use and a hand or trunk 
basket is, indeed, now regarded as quite a 
fashionable companion for a lady shopping 
or travelling, and even a gentleman may 
be seen carrying one and yet run no risk of 
social extinction. Formerly it was only re- 
garded as suitable for the cook or maid mar- 
keting. 
Names. Most baskets are indiscriminately 
called bankras by the peasantry ; distinct, 
however, are the sandwich, trunk, (PL II. 7) 
cassava (PL II. 6) and clothes (PL II. 4) 
baskets. 
Uses. Many and various are the uses to 
which our baskets are put. The tourist may, 
with safety and convenience, carry away his 
purchases. The school child, taking his or 
her lunch to school, blesses the sandwich 
basket. What better means can be suggested 
for smuggling a pet dog on the car under the 
conductors’ very nose ? — behold base ingrati- 
tude when the pet whines or barks ! The 
cassava basket, used in the preparation of 
