314 DESCRIPTION OF TWO SPECIES OF BOEHMERIA. 
there is a description and figure. That, however, is a fibre we wholly 
derive from India proper, and, however valuable commercially, it is very 
inferior in quality to the Chinese Grass. This error we endeavoured to 
correct ; nevertheless statements are again issued, contrary to what is 
the fact, by merchants interested in the subject of the ** Chinese Grass,” 
stating that it is a “kind of Cannabis, or Hemp;” and we presume, 
because the Hemp is a plant whose cultivation is suited to our climate, 
so they recommend this as a fit object for cultivation with us, and seed 
has been imported and distributed accordingly. Long previous even 
to the time when the commercial importance of the fibre became known 
among us, we had raised this plant, and had it in cultivation in a 
hot-house or in a warm green-house. This present year we have 
planted it in the open ground, rather with a view of showing that it 
cannot succeed, than with a hope of its bearing our climate unharmed, 
save during the hottest of the summer months. 
But this is no reason why the “ Chinese Grass " should not be cul- 
tivated, and advantageously, in our colonies, that is, such of our 
. colonies as possess a climate nearly analogous to that of Canton; and 
, we cannot doubt that it would, with due care, prove a most valuable 
_ and important article of export. It is only a true and correct know- 
| ledge of such plants, and of the peculiarities of soil and climate 
| necessary for their being successfully reared, that can enable us to grow 
. them to good purpose. 
: The second plant, of which we here give a figure (Tab. VII.) and 
. brief description, we at present know less about; it is the ** Pooah,” 
. " Puya,” so called in Nepal and in North-eastern India (Boehmeria 
. Puya, Wallich). What we do know is given at p. 26 of the first 
.. volume of this Journal; but although all that we have yet seen of the 
. cloth made from it by the natives of Sikkim be of a very inferior 
| quality, yet, properly prepared, it is likely, judging from the close 
.. affinity of the two plants, that it may be found equal to that from the 
~ B. nivea. We trust it will be soon put to the test. 
There can be no doubt that many mistakes about plants originate in 
the English vernacular names that are assigned to them, too often in 
. . Such a way as wholly to mislead: as, for example, the Prunus Lauro- 
~ _ Cerasus is called ** Common Laurel" (it being a kind of Plum or Cherry) ; 
_ and Ilex, which means a Holly, is applied a kind of Oak, &c. &c. 
|. Why the Chinese Nettle was called * Chinese Grass ” I cannot tell, nor 
