FIBRES. 625 
the bark of this species.” In Fiji the bark of this tree is used in 
the manufacture of the waistband (/7ku) of the women. (Seemann.) 
Diameter, 6 to 8in.; height, 20 to 5oft. 
New South Wales, Queensland and Northern Australia. 
29. Juncus pallidus, R.Br.; (Syn, F. vaginatus, E. Mey. non 
R.Br.; ¥. correctus, Steud.); N.O., Juncacee, B.FI., vii., 130. 
“ Toolim ” of the aboriginals of the Coranderrk Station (Victoria). 
The pith of this rush used to be made into head-dresses in 
Hobart. 
All the colonies. 
30. Lacunaria Patersoni, Dov, N.O., Malvacez, B.FI., i., 218. 
The fibre is prepared by maceration of the bark. It is very 
beautiful. : 
New South Wales and Queensland. 
31. Laportea gigas, Wedd. ; (Syn., Urtica gigas, A.Cunn.; Urera 
rotundifolia, Wedd.; U. excelsa, Wedd.); N.O., Urticez, 
BES vi., 191. 
“ Giant Nettle Tree.” “Irtaie” of the aboriginals of the Richmond 
and Clarence Rivers. ‘‘ Goo-mao-mah ”’ is another aboriginal name. 
The bark of this tree yields an excellent fibre, of good colour. 
The inner bark can be beaten into a kind of coarse cloth, similar to 
the Tapa cloth made by the South Sea Islanders from Broussonetia 
papyrifera. The tree is abundant, and the fibre could, if neces- 
sary, be produced in large quantities. The best and strongest 
fibre is obtained from the root-bark. Crushing and beating seems 
to be the only method of separating the fibre; steeping in water 
will not succeed, as the whole of the bark mats together. The 
aborigines make most of their nets and lines (Clarence district) 
with this fibre, the only further preparation that it receives from 
them is chewing it. The wood is soft and fibrous, and might be 
pulped up for paper. 
New South Wales and Queensland. 
2S 
