COMMERCE AND MODES OF COMMUNICA TION 143 
the part of the natives has injured many of the liana or 
impaired their productiveness, as they not merely make 
incisions in the slender trunks, but cut them completely 
through. 
In the south of the island caoutchouc is obtained from 
the euphorbiaceae of the forests and is exported almost 
exclusively by way of Fort Dauphin. From oral infor¬ 
mation furnished to me by a European resident, the 
yearly produce was very important, but, on the other 
hand, this source for obtaining caoutchouc has almost 
entirely come to an end in consequence of the exhaus¬ 
tion of the trees. The total export of caoutchouc from 
Madagascar amounts to from 4 to 5 millions of francs 
annually. 
Raphia fibre has for some time formed an important 
article of export. As there are whole forests of raphia 
palms the speedy exhaustion of this product is not to 
be anticipated. The fibres are obtained by slitting up, 
the very long fronds. On account of their durability our 
gardeners use them for tying up plants, and in the wine¬ 
growing countries for the vines. On the coast they are 
sold for 20 francs the hundredweight, but as they take up 
a good deal of room their price is greatly increased by the 
cost of transport to Europe. There is a tolerably large 
export to Reunion and Mauritius of raphia bags worked 
by the Malagasy. These are used for packing coffee 
and sugar. The striped raphia cloth is chiefly exported 
to France, where it is esteemed for covering furniture and 
is occasionally used for curtains. The export of rice, the 
most important product of Madagascar, has been already 
mentioned. Maize is but little cultivated and has not 
yet been noticed as forming an article of trade. 
Formerly a good deal of copal was procured in the 
coast regions; at present the quantity has diminished, but 
the export still amounts in Tamatave to some 40,000 francs 
annually. 
