36 



BATAD-BATADAN. 



{Andropogon halepensis.) 



This tall, coarse, perennial grass, reaching a height of 

 3 m., has leaves 1 m. long and 1.5 to 4.5 cm. wide. The 

 panicles are from 20 to 40 cm. long. Its spikelets are 

 numerous, hairy, about 4 mm. long, awnless, and greenish 

 or purplish in color. The plant is found along the banks of 

 streams, in damp places, and in thickets. 



PREPARATION. 



Stalks. — Ordinarily the flower stalks of the various 

 species of Andropogon are merely dried in the sun. A 

 better material will result if they are treated as described 

 for vetiver stalks. The stalks are used occasionally for 

 hats. 



JOB'S-TEARS. 



(Coix lachryrna-johi.) 



Job's-tears (E.) ; abukay (II.) ; adlay, bintikay, burobayoco, pintaka, 

 tigbikay (Albay, Sorsogon) ; aglay (Misamis) ; alimodias, poyas 

 (Occidental Negros) ; balantakan (Pampanga) ; coldasan (Ca- 

 marines) ; dumao, panas, pintaka (Cebu) ; katigbi (Bohol) ; 

 tigbi (T.). 



This plant is well known and is widely distributed. Two 

 varieties are recognized; one produces a soft-shelled fruit 

 with edible seeds, the other a hard-shelled fruit. 



The hard-shelled variety will be described a little more in 

 detail, although, strictly speaking, it is not a fiber plant. 



The stem is coarse and from 1 to 2 m. high. The flower 

 spikes are 6 to 10 cm. long. A very hard shining capsule, 

 ovoid in form, white or nearly black in color, surrounds the 

 female flower and grain. 



USES. 



Seeds. — The soft-shelled variety is made into wine or 

 sometimes employed for various culinary purposes; the 

 hard-shelled seeds may be considered of industrial im- 

 portance as the beads are sometimes used for rosaries, or 

 made into curtains, baskets, and trays of various kinds and 

 forms. 



