BANANA

(Musa), tropical, perennial herbaceous plant; about 40 _ species, cultivated for food; M. corniculata produces a single fruit requiring cooking; leaves are used for packing, plaiting mats, etc. Manila hemp is prepared from M. tezxtilis; b. is native of tropics of Old World, but is now distributed throughout the hot regions of America; large quantities exported from West Indies and Canaries; b. closely allied to the plantain; latter more farinaceous than b., and is generally cooked. volcanic island, Sierra Leone, Africa. 2) (6° 8., 12° 17’ E.), seaport, Belgian ‘ on go, Africa; exports rubber, palm oil, ivory.