32 
Musa textiles, L. 
Manila Hemp. 
Is as yet not cultivated for profit in the Peninsula, although 
it grows readily and well. 
Spec. from Botanic Gardens, Singapore. 
Ananassa sativa , L. ( Bromeliacece .) 
Nenas (Mai.). Pine-apple. 
The pine-apple is extensively cultivated for its fruit in 
Singapore ( see Fruits), and the fibre might be prepared in quantity 
as the plant is of easy growth. The pines suited for fruit, how- 
ever, are not suited for the fibre industry, as they are too short. 
Attempts have been made to extract the fibre in several places, 
but have not proved very satisfactory, owing to the difficulty of 
procuring suitable machinery. . 
Spec. 132 from Larut, Perak. 
132a from Negri Sembilan. 
Yucca gloriosa , L. ( Liliacece .) 
A good fibre plant, as yet not cultivated to any extent. 
Spec, 129 Fibre, from Larut, Perak. 
Furcrcea cubensis , Kth. (Amaryllidece.) 
Mauritius Hemp. 
A large aloe-like plant commonly spread over the cultivated dis- 
tricts of the Peninsula, propagating itself rapidly by bulbils formed 
in the inflorescence. Very easy of cultivation, and of rapid growth. 
There are a few plantations, at Pulau Battam, an island lying to 
the south of Singapore, and elsewhere, where the plant is cultivated 
and prepared for export, but the want of a satisfactory cleaning 
machine prevents any rapid development of this industry. 
Spec. 137 Fibre, from Negri Sembilan. 
Arenga saccharifera , L. ( Palmacece .) 
Kabong or Enau (Mai.). Sugar Palm. 
A large palm with a comparatively short, thick stem attaining 
a height of upwards of ‘ forty feet, with very large leaves of a 
dark green colour above and white beneath. It is commonly 
cultivated in the villages, but is apparently not indigenous. (See 
Sugars.) 
It affords a strong, black fibre produced at the base of the 
leaf stalks, which is used for making a very strong black rope 
commonly known as Tali Ijuk. The rope is especially valued 
because it does not rot in water or when exposed to weather. It 
is used in thatching, for tying on the ridge-pieces. 
Spec. 117 Rope, from Negri Sembilan. 
117a Malacca. 
1176 N egri Sembilan. 
117c Rope, from Perak. 
117 d Fibre. 
11 7e Rope, from Selangor. 
