FIBRES. 619 
7. Careya: arborea, Rovd., var. (?) australis, 2.v.JZ., (Syn. C. 
australis, F.v.M.); N.O., Myrtacee, B.FI., iii, 289. C. 
australis in Muell. Cens., p. 60. 
u Go-onje”’ and ‘‘ Gunthamarrah” of the aboriginals of the Cloncurry 
River (North Queensland). ‘‘ Ootcho” of the aboriginals of the Mitchell 
River. 
Of the inner bark of the typical C. ardorea, fuses for match- 
locks are made in India, by pounding, cleaning, drying, and 
twisting it into a thin cord. These are said to burn at the rate of 
I2in. per hour. Coarse strong cordage is also made from the 
bark. (Brandis.) 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
8. Cocus nucifera, Z7v7., N.O., Palmex, B.FI., vii., 143. 
“Cocoanut Palm.” 
The following account of this well-known palm is taken from 
the Treasury of Botany :—‘‘'The uses of this palm are very 
numerous. ‘The outside rind or husk of the fruit yields the fibre 
from which the well-known cocoanut matting is manufactured. 
In order to obtain it the husks are soaked in salt water for six or 
twelve months, when the fibre is easily separated by beating, and 
is made up into a coarse kind of yarn, called coir. Besides its use 
for matting, it is extensively employed in the manufacture of 
cordage, being greatly valued for ships’ cables, and although these 
cables are rough to handle, and not so neat looking as those made 
of hemp, their greater elasticity makes them superior for some 
purposes. Other articles of minor importance are now made of 
this fibre, such as clothes and other brushes, brooms, mats, etc.; 
and when curled and dried it is used for stuffing cushions, mat- 
tresses, etc., as a substitute for horsehair. The leaves are greatly 
used for thatching houses, for plaiting into mats, baskets, hats, 
and similar articles ; and from strips of the hard footstalk very 
neat combs for the hair are made. The brown fibrous network 
from the base of the leaves is substituted for sieves, and also made 
into fishermen’s garments in the tropics.’” 
Queensland. 
