223 



THE USE OF SEEDS FOR ORNAMENTAL 



PU R POSES.* 



The use of ornamental seeds in the manufacture of household 

 articles and for personal adornment is common in many countries, 

 but in few perhaps has the application of natural forest seeds 

 become an industry so definite as appears to be the case in Maza- 

 gon, Bombay. This is described in an article which appeared in 

 the "Times of India" for July 13th, 1906, here reproduced. 



This article is of interest to Kew as some time ago (May, 1905) 

 Mr. G. M. Ryan, F. L. S. of the Indian Forest Service, presented 

 to the Museum, on behalf of the Sisters of All Saints' School at 

 Mazagon, a handsome screen, measuring 7 ft. by 5 ft. made up of 

 1 10 strings in the manner described. 



The seeds employed in this instance were "Job's Tears" (Coix 

 Lachryma-jobi Linn.), "Red Wood," sometimes according to Diet. 

 Econ. Prod. India, called " Red Sandal Wood " {Adenanthera 

 pavonina, Linn.), seeds of Mimusops Kauki, Linn., and short pieces 

 of what appear to be the peduncles of "Great Millet " (Atidropogon 

 Sorghum, Brot. var. vulgaris Hack.), or an allied form. 



The photograph of which a reproduction is given here, illustra- 

 ting the work in course of progress, was presented by Mr. Ryan 

 with the screen. 



"The Indian jungles are remarkable for the number of hard 

 bright seeds of many colours that are found upon their trees and 

 climbing plants. Every colour except probably light blue and 

 bright green is represented, and these seeds, if gathered when 

 ct-uite ripe, are hard and durable, some being about the hardness 

 of bone. In size they vary from that of a large watch downwards, 

 and beyond occasional use for their real or supposed medicinal 

 properties, they have been allowed to fall and rot where they grow, 

 unless, like the myrabolan and mhowra, they possess some com- 

 mercial value for industrial or economic purposes. The beauty of 

 many of these seeds and their durability must have often suggested 

 their use as ornaments as it did to Sir George Watt, Director of 

 Economic Products to the Government of India, but the difficulty 

 of piercing them regularly and cheaply seems to have stood in the 

 way until Mr. J. Wallace, Editor of the " Indian Textile Journal " at 

 Bombay, took the matter in hand. He had been keenly interested 

 in Oriental industries for more than twenty years, and the utiliza- 

 tion of forest seeds seemed to him to offer the nucleus for a minor 

 industry that might take the place of needlework in certain schools 

 as sewing is one of the worst paid occupations in the world. The 

 drilling of the seeds was the first problem to be solved, and as 

 they vary greatly in shape, appliances had to be devised that 

 would hold them and at the same time guide the drill so that 

 it might always pierce them in the desired manner. All the appli- 

 ances had to be cheap, easily made, and repaired, and simple 

 enough to be used by unskilled labour without undue wear. The 



* From " Bulletin, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew," No. 7, 1906. pp. 253-255. The 

 block for the plate has been lent by the Director of Kew Gardens. 



