Coir,

Coir, or COCOA-NUT FIBRE, is the fibre of the husk of the cocoa-nut. The husks are steeped in water, in pits, for six months, or even for a year, and then beaten with a stick till the fibre readily separates. The material is largely used on account of its strength and wear-resisting qualities for floor-matting in positions where there is much traffic, and for making hall and door mats. It is also in demand for coarse brushes, for ships' fenders, and, to some extent, for ropes and cables. In the South Sea Islands, ropes of coir fibre, made by the natives, are extensively used. Coir rope, on account of its lightness, possesses some advantages for maritime purposes. The Chamerops (q.v.) is sometimes called the coir-palm.