{ 215 ) 
Ficus Benjamina. — R oxb. “Waringin.” This tree, common in 
cultivation, produces a bast of considerable strength, it is of a 
light brownish color, thick and irregular. The ultimate fibres 
are white and woolly, lighter in color than those of the Terap, 
but otherwise similar. Specimens of this bast were received from 
Johore some years ago. 
F. chartacea. — A small twiggy shrub, common in jungle, also 
supplies a bast used as occasion requires by Malays. It is called 
Kelampong Mata Punei, Kelampong Agas, and Poko Rami 
Hu tau. 
.Hibiscus macrophyllus. — Tutok. This fine tree mallow is not 
rare in the forests of the low country of Malacca. It attains a 
height of about forty feet, and has rounded pubescent leaves 
and large showy yellow flowers with a purple centre. The bast 
is light brown in color and collected in strips ^-inch wide and 
of good length. It is readily split lengthwise and easily twisted, 
flexible and strong. A good sample of rope made from it in 
Malacca is among the collection of fibres in the Botanic Garden 
Museum. 
H. tiliaceus. — Waru, or Baru. A common sea-shore tree 
occurring all over the tropics. The bast is similar to that of the 
preceding. Its fibre is said to be not as good as the best jute, 
but to gain strength by wetting. Though used as a native fibre 
a 11 over the world, to a certain extent, it does not seem to find its 
way into commerce, and here, at least, is seldom used. 
Hibiscus elatus. — Cuba bast. This West Indian tree mallow 
has long been cultivated in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, 
where it grows readily, if not very fast. The bast is in constant 
demand in Europe at a high price, but the supply is inadequate. 
The bark is said to be obtained by cutting down the tree, peeling 
it, separating the bast from the outer bark and drying it in the 
sun. Its chief use is in millinery for hats and such like work. 
Its porousness makes it absorb dye easily without impairing its 
texture. 
As the supply falls far short of {he demand a substitute for 
this fibre is much required. 
Thtsbcsia populnea. — Also known as Baru, is a common sea- 
shore tree over most of the tropics, very similar in appearance to 
Hibiscus tiliaceus. The leaves are, however, smooth ovate 
cordate acute. The bast is something like that of Tutok. rather 
darker red-brown, strong and pliable. It is occasionally used 
in the Peninsula, as it is in most parts of the world, for cordage. 
In Demerara it was said to be used formerly for coffee bags. 
The supply is not sufficiently large for its commercial use. 
Alchornea villosa, Muell (Euphorbiacece) . A common bushy 
shrub, about 6 feet or more tall, gives a bast which the Malays 
