586 
Philippine Journal of Science 
191S 
Tensile-strength tests of five specimens that had been im- 
mersed in tap water for twenty-four hours showed a reduction 
of 32 per cent in strength, with a. maximum variation from the 
mean of 26 per cent. Only one specimen broke in an eye-splice. 
Due to the marked impairment in strength occasioned by wetting, 
it would seem that cordage made of wetted Commersonia bar- 
tramia bast is unsuited for use. Nevertheless the residents of 
Benguet, where the rope was procured, state that during rainy 
weather it is more durable than the other commonly used basts, 
and that it is considered primarily a wet-weather rope. 
A summary of the tests made in the Bureau of Science is 
given in Table IX. 
Table IX . — Physical tests of rope made from, the hast of Commersonia 
bartramia. 
[Rope made at Disdis, Bengmet Subprovince.] 
Mean diameter; 
Millimeters 12.1 
Inches 0.48 
Mean perimeter, or girth: 
Millimeters 38 
Inches 1.50 
True mean sectional area: 
Square millimeters 97.5 
Square inches 0.151 
Ultimate tensile strength (dry) ; 
Mean in kilograms 
382 
Maximum in kilograms 
458 
Minimum in kilograms 
306 
Mean in pounds 
843 
Maximum in pounds 
1,010 
Minimum in pounds 
675 
Ultimate tensile strength (wet) : 
Mean in kilograms 
259 
Maximum in kilograms 
327 
Minimum in kilograms 
220 
Mean in pounds 
570 
Maximum in pounds 
720 
Minimum in pounds 
485 
Mean ultimate tensile strength per unit area 
(dry) : 
Kilograms per square centimeter 
392 
Pounds per square inch 
5,580 
Mean ultimate tensile strength per unit area 
(wet) 
Kilograms per square centimeter 
266 
Pounds per square inch 
3,780 
Mean elongation at instant of rupture: 
Dry (per cent) 
14 
Wet (per cent) 
13 
