VEGETABLE FIBERS. 507 



hemp or Sunu." The leaves of the plant are eaten as a pot-herb in 

 many parts of India, the taste being pleasantly acid, not unlike sorrel. 



The libers of carefully p repared A7n haree are from 5 to 6 feet Ion g. Com- 

 j)ared with ordinary hemp they are paler brown, harsher, adhere closer 

 together, though divisible into fine fibrils, possessed of considerble 

 strength. Its tenacity tested with Sunn is as 115 to 130. The fiber in the 

 present experiment having been extracted from plants cut when in flower. 



Vetillart states that the fiber of Hibiscus, when minutely examined 

 in glycerine, appears as a bundle, the filaments strongly united together, 

 so much so that they are with difficulty separated even after treatment 

 in an alkaline solution. The fibers are short, stiff, and brittle ; of suf- 

 ficient fineness, but irregular in size even in the same specimens. The 

 central cavity, usually narrow, is prominent; cells generally terminating 

 in fringed points, sometimes having notches or sinuosities in their out- 

 lines; some are large, ribboned, and creased, the exterior surface stri- 

 ated. These last have very slender walls, which explain the creases. 

 Viewed transversely with a high power the fibers are seen to be polyg- 

 onal, with sharp angles and straight sides, the polygons pressed com- 

 pactly together. The walls are thick and the central cavity round or oval. 



I find no recent quotations of value, the latest being some twenty 

 years ago, when the price comj)ared with other fibers was as follows : 

 Kussian hemp, $140 per ton; Hibiscus, $100; and jute, $65. Jute has 

 come into such prominence in late years that its prices would probably 

 range relatively higher. As high as GOO acres of Hibiscus have been 

 cultivated in one district of India for fiber alone. 



Sibiscus sabdariffa. — Jamaica Indian Sorrel. — This plant furnishes the 

 "Koselle hemp" of the Madras territories, where it is called ^^rozelle" 

 or " rouselle," although the name is a corruption of " oseille." It is quite 

 similar to the preceding, and is little cultivated for its fiber. In India 

 its fleshy calyxes, of a lileasantly acid taste, are much cmi>loyed for 

 making tarts as well as excellent jelly, and in the West Indies for mak- 

 ing cooling drinks. 



Mibiscus sorbifolia and mutabilis. — ^Both of these species are indigenous 

 in Queensland, fi'om whence the specimens were received (Exhibition, 

 1876), labelled "Eosella hemp," but incorrectly. S. mutahilis is also a 

 native of China, but grows in India and other Eastern localities. Fiber 

 of H. tctracus was also received with the above, but does not differ 

 materially. 



Hibiscus splendens. — Holly-hock tree. — Fiber from this species, a native 

 of Queensland and !N"ew South Wales, was received from Victoria (Ex- 

 hibition, 1876), prepared by Dr. W. E. Guilfoyle, director of the Mel- 

 bourne botanic gardens, who states that the species is a splendid tree, 

 growing to the height of 20 feet or more. "It is very pubescent, bear- 

 ing large pink flowers resembling holly-hocks in size and ai)X)earance. 

 The fiber is suitable for cordage, fish-lines, paper, &c. 



* Hibiscus Jietcrophylhis. — Also a native of Queensland and !N"ew South 

 Wales. The fiber was prepared by Guilfojle from Victorian x>lants. 

 "This is a tall shrub of quick growth, and the bark is rich in fiber of 

 good quality." 



Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis, d;c. — There are several other species of mallow 

 fiber in the collection (Smithsonian Institution, 1869), but as they are all so 

 similar in appearance, a detailed description of each is unnecessary. 

 The species are H. Rosa-sinensis, the Chinese rose; H. lilifolia, "hly- 

 flowered shoe-black;" H. tetraciis and H. latifolia, habitats not given. 



* Species indicated by tlie asterisk liave been separated iuto the genua Pariiimu 

 For conYenience, however, -we will consider tkom under their old generic names. 



