19 
manner to Agave or Pita ” fibre, which it closely resembles. 
The present sample has been prepared by a boiling process which 
extended over a period of ten hours, placed through the rollers, 
then scraped and heckled. Several experts say that the fibre 
of F. gigantea is very like the sisal hemp of commerce, and 
doubtless is often so called.” 
Dr. Ernst, in the catalogue of the Venezuelan Department 
(Phil. Int. Exh., 1876), states that — The fibre is very strong, 
and is used for cordage and gunny bags. It is prepared in the 
same manner as sisal hemp. Samples of the Venezuelan speci- 
mens are dyed in aniline to show that it will take colour/’ 
Professor C. R. Dodge, in his valuable work, Useful Fibre 
Plants of the Worlds says : — The plant is grown largely for 
fibre at St. Helena and Mauritius, and in the Loudon market the 
product is known as Mauritius hemp. F. gigantea is supposed 
to have been introduced from South America to Mauritius about 
1790. It has evidently found a congenial home there, for, with- 
out any effort on the part of man, it has covei’ed waste lands 
and abandoned sugar estates to such an extent as to lay the 
foundation of a considerable fibre industry. The leaves are often 
8 feet in length, and from 6 to 7 inches in breadth. The pulp of 
the leaves when crushed gives off a strong pungent odour, and 
hence this species is sometimes called the foetid aloe. The juice 
is strongly corrosive and soon acts upon Avrought iron ; it is said 
to produce less effect on cast iron, while it is practically inopera- 
tive on brass and copper. The plant grows in all soils and up to 
an elevation of 1,800 feet above the level of the sea. It has, 
however, more generally disseminated itself on the lowlands near 
the coast, and on a few abandoned sugar estates that hav^e become 
too dry for cane cultivation.” 
LIX. — Furcr^a (Fourcroya) Bedingitausii (C. Koch). “ Bed- 
inghausen’s Giant Lily.’^ Order Amaryllidece. Mexico. 
Prepared by boiling for two hours, rolled, and then scraped. 
Easily prepared. Fibre very elastic Avhen wet. 
LX. - — • Gahnia psittacoruai (Labillardiere) syn. Cladium 
psittacorum (F. v. Mueller). “ Victorian Giant Grass ” or 
‘‘ Parrot Bush.” Order Cyperacece, Victoria, Ncav South 
Vales, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. 
Usually found in the uplands and on banks of creeks, It 
closely resembles G. Badula in appearance, and the remarks in 
the description of that species apply equally to this as a fibre 
plant. 
Leaves boiled for 24 hours, and then scraped, 
2296. 
C 
