12 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



[Jan. 1, 1SGG. 



different in microscopical structure (fig. 15, c). It 

 is not unlike flax without its transverse markings. 



Fig. 15. a. Bariala; b. Ambaree; c. Mudar. 



The ultimate fibres are distinctly to be seen in the 

 ordinary bundles, which is not the case with flax. 



A creeping plant called Bedolee (Paderia 

 focticla) abounds in Assam, and yields a silky fibre 

 possessed of great strength and flexibility. Under 

 the microscope (fig. 14, <?) it appears as a smooth 

 solid cylinder with very slight markings. 



Jute is well known in English commerce, and is 

 derived from two plants, Corc/iorus olitorius and 

 Corchoms capsularis. The presence of this fibre, 

 which, by the way, is an adulterant in extensive use, 

 can be easily detected by the microscope (fig. 13, b). 

 It has a rougher outline and is much more opaque 

 than flax ; it has no definite cross markings, and 

 the cells frequently terminate in a tongue-like 

 shape. 



Bariala is the native name of Sida rhomboidea, 

 which yields a similar fibre in India. The micro- 

 scopic appearance (fig. 15, a) is that of a regular, 

 distinct, longitudinal structure. It is opaque and 

 slightly woody. By reflected light it presents a 

 pearly appearance not unlike New Zealand flax. 



Ambaree is the brown hemp of Hibiscus canna- 

 bbms, and under the microscope (Gg. 15, b) is very 

 similar to the fibre of the Bariala. 



The true Hemp {Cannabis satira) is well known ; 

 and fig. 16 represents the microscopic appearance of 

 three varieties : the Russian, Himalayan, and Italian. 

 They are not unlike flax, except as to the transverse 

 markings, in which hemp is usually defective, and, 

 when present, not so decided. It is difficult to dis- 

 tinguish some fine samples of hemp from flax. 



Sunx or Bombay hemp (Crotalaria jvncea) offers 

 a fibre which microscopically is rather like that of 



hemp, but rougher, and without any indication of 

 cross markings. 



Fig. 16. a. Russian hemp : b. Himalayan hemp; 

 c. Italian hemp. 



Jetee (Marsdenia tenacissimd) yields the Rajma- 

 hal bowstring hemp, a> fibre much valued for its 

 tenacity. The ultimate fibres (fig. 17, b) are regular 



Fig. 1". a. Sunn; b. Jetee ; c. Dhunchee. 



in diameter, with slight rugosites on the surface. 



Dhunchee {Sesbania aculeala) has a very regular 

 fibre (fig. 17, c), with a somewhat woody structure. 



We arrive now at the second group of vascular 

 fibres, namely, those afforded by endogenous plants, 

 of which the most important is that afforded by the 

 Pine-afple (Anauassa sativa). Under the micro- 

 scope they have a somewhat opalescent, glass-like 

 appearance, and arc very refractive. 



