Opuscular source: Sample of the netting prepared by the natives of Zomba. It is prepared from an indigenous fibre plant which is very common in dry stony soil. The stems are very much branched, and the ultimate branches short, hence it is imposs to obt, ain, long ribbons of the fibre. As the fibre is embedded in a gummy substance that is almost insoluble, ordinary retting is useless in its preparation. The usual native method is to scrape off a small quantity of fibre, which he then chews thoroughly un, til all the gum is removed, a most tedious and slow method. The fibre is generally extremely strong, and it is used for all the native fishing nets in districts where it occurs. Extract of letter Mr E W Davy, Forestry and Bot Dept, Zomba, BC Africa, To, Director, Rec'd Sept 23rd 1907.