232 
A second sample was afterwards received which was very similar 
in character and appearance to the first except that it had a very 
slight yellowish tinge. 
Owing to the small amount of fibre available, a complete chemical 
examination could not be carried out, but the following determina- 
tions were made by the usual methods. For comparison, the results 
furnished by the examination of other specimens of the fibre of 
Sanseviera seylanica , by the Scientific and Technical Department 
of the Imperial Institute are also quoted : — 
Moisture 
Ash 
Cellulose 
Length of 
per cent. 
per cent. 
per cent. 
Ultimate 
Selangor 
9-9 
O.7 
75-9 
fibre. 
1-3 mm. 
Grenada 
9-5 
14 
72.7 
1-5 mm. 
Assam 
94 
O 7 
75-6 
1. 5-3. 5 mm. 
Colonial and India Exhibi- 
tion fCrossand Bevan) 0.7 
73-1 
1.5-3 mm - 
From these results 
it appears 
that the fibre from 
Selangor is 
iully equal in quality to specimens obtained from other sources. 
The fibre has also been submitted for commercial valuation to 
two leading firms of fibre brokers who were informed of the favour- 
able results which it had furnished on chemical examination. One 
firm reports that the sample is a very strong, clear, hard fibre, of 
good colour but rather short and tapering ; it is coarser and not 
quite so soft and pliable as is usual for the fibre of Sanseviera sey- 
lanica. Owing to the want of regular supplies the fibre has not a 
recognised position on the London market, but consignments of 
long staple have been sold at very high prices. The value of the 
present specimen is given at about ^35 per ton (Sisal hemp being 
now £37 per ton) but if long and of similar quality it would be 
worth ^40 per ton and upwards. 
The other brokers to whom the fibre was submitted value it at ^33 
per ton or £36 per ton if bright white, at which prices they state 
it would meet with ready sale. 
It would appear from these reports that these samples of fibre of 
Sanseviera seylanica , are of good quality and that consignments of 
similar character would probably meet with a read), sale on the 
London market. 
WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN, 
15th May, i go 3. 
BORING BEETLES IN PARA RUBBER. 
Mr. Tunnicliffe sends from Port Dickson some small beetles 
found boring into Para Rubber trees and writes, I am sending 
some specimens of what I take to be a small boring beetle, also 
bark of a para rubber free which they had attacked. Hundreds of 
them are sticking on to the tree in their small holes, those that are 
dead having killed themselves by boring into the tree from which a 
very little latex formed and coagulated holding them in their self 
