Characters and Uses of the Fibre.—The leaf of esparto presents an appearance altogether different from those of the endogons generally, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 687. The fibro-vascular groups or bundles f are spread throughout the interior of the leaf, but the intervals, instead of being occupied by parenchyma, with large cells and thin walls, are filled with a compact mass of fine solid fibres f. The fibres f arc coloured yellow by teat H, whilst f are coloured blue by the same test ; e, external epidermis ; e, internal epidermis ; mag. 100. In Fig. 688, are sections of the fibres :—a, section of a group of fibres ; b, fibres seen longitudinally ; c, ends; mag. 300. The dimensions of the fibres are :— length : max., in. ; min., 0.019 in. ; mean., 0:058 in. ; dia meter: max., 0 • 00072 in. ; 0 0028 ; in.; mean., • 0.00048 in. The extreme fineness of the fibres, their uni formity, their ten dency to curl, and their transpar eney, resulting from the purity of the cellulose composing them, indicate their peculiar suita bility for the manufacture of paper. For this purpose, esparto may now be said to rule the market, and any other paper material would have to hear comparison with it as a standard. Lesser quantities of the fibre are used in the manufacture of inferior cordage, sieves, basket-work, &e.
Exports, Imports, and Value.—The exports from Malaga to the United Kingdom were 16,012 tone in 1876; 12,305 tons in 1877; and only 3453 tons in 1878. Carthagena shipped 11,000 tons in 1876; and 10,000 tons in 1877. Mogador in 1878 ex ported 2417 bales (6050 cwt.), all to the United King dom. The exports from Tri poli in 1878 were valued at 139,9981. ; and in 1879, at 174,9971. The shipments from Susa were 7683 tons in 1875; 8476 tons in 1876; 7183 tons in 1877; and 4674 tons in 1878.
The imports into the United Kingdom, in 1878, were : — From Tripoli and Tunis, 60,478 tons, value 329,4741. ; Algeria, 39,941 tons, value 265,5701. ; Spain, 37,892 tons, value 323,0671. ; other countries, 2194 tons, value 11,1891. These figures are somewhat exaggerative, as they include other vegetable fibres imported for paper-making. The approximate market values are as follows :— Spanish, fine to best, 101. 5s. a ton ; fair to good average, 101. ; Oran, hand-picked, 7/. 10s.; fair to good average, 71.; Tripoli, band-picked, 61. 10s. ; fair average, 61.; Susa, 81. ; Gabes and Sfax, 71. Ide and Christie, of 72, Mark Lane, are probably the foremost house in this trade.
Malachra ; annual or perennial shrub. Probably native of S. America, but now found everywhere within the tropics. It occurs throughout the hotter parts of India, from the N.-W. Provinces to the Carnatic, and thrives in Bombay and Bengal. It flourishes without
any attention in marshy soil. It yields fibre 8-9 ft. long, which is extracted and prepared precisely like jute (Corchorus), but requires to be retted directly it is cut. When well cleaned, it has a silvery lustre, and is almost as soft as silk; with proper cultivation and preparation, it is anticipated that it will equal jute.
Malva sp. div.—Exogen. The fibres of M. rotundifolia, M. crispa, and M. sylvestris are widely utilized ; also of M. peruviana in Peru, and M. mauritiana in Italy, Portugal, Spain, &c.
Manilla hemp.—See Musa textilis.
Maranta obliqua.—Iturite fibre.—Native of British Guiana. The fibre is used by the Indians for making their pegalls.
Marsdenia tenacissima—Netee.—Exogen ; small climber. Found wild in the sub-alpine regions of Bengal, in the Rajmahl Hills, and in Chittagong ; grows in dry and barren places, and might easily be cultivated. The bark of the stems yields a valuable fibre, which is extracted by cutting the stems into sections, splitting them, drying them, steeping them in water for about an hour, and scraping them clean with the nails or with a stick. The hill-men simply dry the stems, and altogether dispense with retting. About 6 lb. of clean fibre is a good day's work. The fibres are fine and silky, and of great strength, a line made of them breaking at 248 lb. dry, and 343 lb. wet, as against hemp at 158 lb. and 190 lb. It is used locally for how-strings, and for netting.
Mauritia flexuosa—Tibisiri.—Endogen; palm, 80-100 ft. A native of the Lower Amazon, where it completely covers large tracts of tide-flooded land. The epidermis of the leaves furnishes a material of which cordage for hammocks, and a variety of other purposes, is manu factured. The central bunch of unopened leaves is cut down, and on shaking, the tender leaflets fall apart. Each is then carefully stripped of its outer covering, a thin, ribbon-like, yellowish skin, which shrivels up like a thread. These strips are tied in bundles, and dried, and are afterwards rolled and twisted into cords. In fineness, strength, and durability, the fibre is surpassed by that obtained from Astrocaryum vulgare. The fibres are fine, solid, and of very irregular diameter. The dimensions of the filaments are :—length : max., 0.118 in. ; min., 0.039 in. ; mean, 0.058 in.; diameter : max., in.: min., in.; mean, 0.00048 in.
Melodinus monogynus [Echaltium piscidium].—Exogen. Indigenous to Silhet. The bark contains a quantity of fibrous matter, which the natives of Silhet use as a substitute for hemp. Mexican Nidularium karatas.