Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt: ...The stems of plants in this Natural Order are made up of the united petioles of the leaves, and cannot be regarded as true stems. They contain such a remarkable abundance of spiral vessels that these can be pulled out by handfuls, and are sold for tinder. Each spiral vessel consists of six or seven fibres, which, when pulled out, constitute the Manilla Hemp. It is from the finer fibres, obtained from the petioles of the leaves, that many of the celebrated muslins of India are made. The common Manilla Hemp is a fine round silky-looking fibre, nearly white; it is used extensively in making cordage, for which purpose it is admirably adapted. Its value is about £5 per ton more than the best Russian hemp. Aloe Fibre, Pita, or Pite' Hemp. Agave Americana. (Nat. Ord. Amaryllidacea.) A few bales of Pite hemp occasionally reach the English markets, chiefly from St. Domingo; it is an excellent material for 38 CaxRauba Palm. 39. Rattan Palm. 40. Coquilla Nut Palm.. A. Manilla Plantain.. 4E-Tke Oil Palm. PIKE-APPLE FIBRE. COIB. 83 cordage, resembling the Manilla more than the common hemp. It is made from the leaves of the Agave, or American Aloe as it is commonly called. Pine-apple Fibre.--The fibre from the leaves of Ananassa sativa and one or more species of Bromelia and Tillandtia. (Nat. Ord. Bromeliacece.) The leaves of most of the plants of this Natural Order contain an abundance of fine strong fibres; those of the pine-apple were exhibited at the Great Exhibition, and some very fine muslins have been manufactured from them in the West Indies and Brazil; and from a species of Bromelia called Grawatha by the Brazilians excellent cordage is made. Pine-apple fibre has not yet however become an article of British commerce. From another of the Bromeliacea, named T...
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