Vegetable Fibres Available, ete. 251 
bristles in brush making, for which purpose it is now em- 
ployed in a limited degree. If not obtained white from the 
unfermented leaf, the brown colour acquired is very dark, 
, and difficult to bleach off. Most of the Aloe tribe possess 
similar properties; the Yuccas approximate nearer in 
their structure to pine-apple fibre. 
Neilgherry Nettle—TVhis being an Urtica should have 
been noticed after China grass, to which it is, in some re- 
spects, similar. The fibre is brilliant and strong, easily sepa- 
rated, regular in fineness; from six to twenty-eight inches 
in length; of good natural whiteness, similar in fineness to 
the coarsest mohair, much twisted, generally flattened at 
the root end. The last peculiarity is a detect, otherwise 
it is a fibre perfectly adapted for spinning with coarse 
combing wools. It seems to be especially applicable for 
fabrics where bright stiffness is the quality desired. It 
dyes in a similar manner to China grass, but does not pos- 
sess equal brilliance, or strength, or whiteness. If it were 
found onthe market it would immediately take a position 
as a combing fibre, probably second only to China grass. 
It is reported to be obtainable in abundance, but the plant 
isa formidable one to manipulate. 
Other fibres exist suitable for combing, of which it is 
difficult to obtain fair samples in Europe, to report fully 
upon. One especially has passed under the writer’s notice, 
of remarkable fineness, six to ten inches in length, admira- 
bly adapted for a silk substitute ; and, at this juncture of 
dear silk, if found in commerce, would bear.a high value. 
Many varieties exist of the fibres mentioned in this Inquiry 
which would be of great value for special uses if brought 
systematically on the market. Others not commercially 
known to the manufacturers of Great Britain, but very de- 
sirable for some uses, are obtainable in large quantities at 
the price of the expense of getting. 
But, with the apathy which presses so heavily on all new 
commercial matters, how are our manufacturers to be sup- 
plied with all these fibres at moderate prices? The private 
merchant willonly twice ina century furnish the market 
with material for which he has never been asked, and of 
which perhaps the very existence is unknown to the private 
manufacturer. But, supposing the first to have been fur- 
nished, and an unflattering reception received, (the only re- 
ception an unknown or untested material could possibly 
obtain), is it likely that he will have spirit enough to havea 
second cargo coming forward to fully establish its value? 
