. A descriptive catalogue of useful fiber plants of the world, including the structural and economic classifications of fibers. Fibers. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 155 JGjoo or Eju (Malay). See Arenga. Elaeis guineensis. Oil Palm. Endogen. Palmes. Palm, 20 to 30 feet. This genus includes the oil palm of west Africa, which has been introduced into the West Indies, and several mostly South American and West Indian species. Structural Fiber.—This is obtained from the inner leaflets of the plant, and is described as being almost as fine and tenacious as human hair. It is extensively used by the natives
. A descriptive catalogue of useful fiber plants of the world, including the structural and economic classifications of fibers. Fibers. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 155 JGjoo or Eju (Malay). See Arenga. Elaeis guineensis. Oil Palm. Endogen. Palmes. Palm, 20 to 30 feet. This genus includes the oil palm of west Africa, which has been introduced into the West Indies, and several mostly South American and West Indian species. Structural Fiber.—This is obtained from the inner leaflets of the plant, and is described as being almost as fine and tenacious as human hair. It is extensively used by the natives for fishing lines and other purposes where great strength is required. In the preparation of this fiber a considerable amount of skill is shown. The pinnae of the young leaves which have not been hardened by exposure are the only ones that can be made use of. If too old, the fiber can not be separated from the tissue, and if gathered before the leaves have opened it has not sufficient strength to stand the rough handling which it has to undergo while in process of manufacture. If gathered at the right age the strip- ping of the fiber offers no difficulties, although the process is both tedious and wasteful. So far as can be ascertained, the only use to which this fiber is put is the making of fishing lines and fine cords. It would appear to be too costly for native cloth, net, or bag making. The fol- lowing results of actual experiments will serve to show the tedious and ex- pensive nature of the pro- cess which has just been described: A day's hard work is counted well spent on the production of 6 ounces of fiber from 36 I>ounds of the raw mater- ial. Estimating the value of labor to the native at not more than 3d. a day, and leaving out of consideration the time expended in collecting and sorting the leaves in the forest, the actual cost of this material to the producer can not be calculated at less than £75 a ton. It is therefore clear that it would be impossible to d
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