FIBRES. 629 
natives of Southern India and the South Sea Islands. They are 
also used to make the common umbrellas used by the Tamils. 
(Cyclop. of India.) 
Northern Australia. 
44. Philydrum lanuginosum, Zaks, B.FI., vii., 74. 
The leaves used to be used for the girdles of aboriginal 
women, (Hooker.) 
Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Northern 
Australia. 
45: Phragmites communis, Z7rzz., (Syn. Arundo Phragmites, 
Linn.); N.O., Graminez, B.FI., vii., 636. Arundo Phrag- 
mites in Muell. Cens., p. 135. 
This rush was formerly much utilised by the aboriginals of 
Victoria for making bags or baskets. It is not valuable for 
agricultural purposes, but it is of great importance for binding the 
earth on river banks with its extensively creeping root-stocks. The 
plant is not endemic in Australia. 
The dry plant yields 4.7 per cent. of ash, which, according to 
-Schulz-Fleeth, contains in 100 parts : 
Potash (anhydrous) ... see ees 8.6 
me: wae oa bits ee 5-9 
Magnesia fs aa sas ase Lis2 
Petric Oxide _ ... ba oer met 0.2 
Sulphuric Acid (anhydride)... cas 2.8 
SICA: ne S00 Soc ae seis) PECS 
Carbonic Acid ... Sic Ses As 6.6 
Phosphoric Acid (P,Q5;) Ace ae 2.0 
Sodium Chloride (common salt) aes 0.4 
(vans Dict., i.; 413) 
All the colonies. 
46. Pimelea ligustrina, R.Br., (Syn. P. elata, F.v.M.; Calyptros- 
tegia ligustrina, C. A. Mey.); N.O., Thymelacez, B.FI., 
vi. 18; P, axiflora, 7.v.J7,, B.FI., vi., 26. 
