VEGETABLE FIBERS. 



501 



fibrous material of commercial importance, as full a liistory of the modes 

 of cultivation, preparation, &c., has been given as is compatible with 

 the limited space offered in a report of this nature. ' 



Fiber has be^n used in all ages and in all countries from the remotest 

 periods, either as clothing or cordage. Even our first parents are re- 

 corded as sewing fig-leaves together for clothing. From the primitive 

 use of fiber and fibrous material, limited to that sufficient for jjersonal 

 requirements only, its production and preparation has come to be among 

 the largest industries of the world, not only furnishing to man textile 

 fabrics in untold variety and perfection of skill, but administering to 

 his comforts in a thousand ways through its varied uses, and at the 

 same time giving him employment and means of livelihood. 



The vegetable fibers, in their economic relations, may be divided into 

 six classes, according to their uses, as those suitable for fine spinning 

 and weaving, for coarser spinning and weaving, and for fine cordage ; 

 for coarse cordage and unspun woven fabrics, very coarse cordage and 

 mats ; for upholstery purposes, and lastly for plaiting or weaving me- 

 chanically, as baskets, hats, &c. To make the report more valuable as 

 a work of reference, the complete list of described fibers is here given, 

 the species classified under their appropriate heads to show the economic 

 value of the fiber, and reference made to the families in which they are 

 described, which have been numbered consecutively for the purpose. 

 The initial letters following the names of the species show the extent 

 that the fiber is utilized — whether used in the arts and known as a com- 

 mercial product, A ; used chiefly by natives in the countries where it 

 abounds, N ; or prepared only experimentally, or used as a fiber to a very 

 limited extent, E. The figures refer to the families in the body of the 

 report : 



ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF FIBERS. 



I. — Filers extemively employed in the arts, capaile of leing spun and woven into fairies of 



fine texture. 



Boehmeria nivea. China grass. Rhea, 14, 



A. 

 Gossypium herlaceum (ei al.). Cotton, 2, 



A. 



Linum usitatissimum. Flax, 5, A. 



II, — Filers that are or may le employed in the arts, capaile ofleing spun and woven into 

 fabrics of inferior duralility or coarser texture, and also applicatle to fine cordage. 



Jhelmoschus esculentus. Okra, 2, E. 

 Ahutilon avicennw. Indian Mallow, 2, A, 



slightly. 

 Alutilon Bedfordianum. 2, E. 

 Ahutilon mollis. 2, E. 

 Ahitilon oxycarpum. 2, E. 

 Alutilon striatum. Streaked Lantern 



flower, 2, E. 

 Alutilon venosum. Veined Lantern flower, 



2, E. 

 Asclepias cornuti. Milk or silk weed, 11, E. 

 Asfrocaryum tucuma. Tucnni, 20, N. 

 Calotropisgigantea. Mudar Yercum, 11, N. 

 Cannabis sativa. Hemp, 16, A. 

 Corchorus olitorius and capsiilaris. Jute, 



4, A. 

 Crotalaria juncea. Sunn hemp, 6, A., N. 

 Crotalaria tenuifolia. Jubbulpore hemp, 



6, A. 

 Hibiscus cannalinus. Brown hemp, Am- 



baree, 2, A. 



Hibiscus heterophyllus, 2, E. 



Hibicus moscheutos. (Swamp rose mal- 

 low), 2, E. 



Hibiscus mutabilis. 2, E. 



Hibicus Eosa-sinensis. (Chinese rose), 2, 

 N. 



Hibiscus sabdariffa. Rosella hemp, 2, N. 



Hibiscus sorbifoUa. 2, E. 



Hibiscus splendens. (Hollyhock tree), 2, 

 E. 



Hibiscus (Faritium) tiliaceus. 2, N., (West 

 Indies. ) 



Phormium ienax. New Zealand flax, 22, 

 A., N. 



Sida retusa. Queensland hemp, 2, N., A., 

 slightly. 



Sida rhomibifolia. 2, A., N. 



Sparmannia africana. 4, N. 



Triumfetta semitriloba. 4, E. 



Urena lobata, Guaxima (Brazil). 2, A., N. 



