VEGETABLE FIBERS. 517 



lection of over 400 samples. From some of the Australian colonies rep- 

 resentative collections were received, as also from tbe Fiji Islands and 

 islands of tlie South Pacific. Kussia is represented by samples from 

 Turkestan. Spain presented a few samples, and the Portuguese collec- 

 tion is quite full. The South American cottons are from Brazil, Peru, 

 Chili, Argentine Republic, and Venezuela, and include a number of sam- 

 ples of nankeen or red cotton. From Mexico, "where cotton is one of 

 the most natural and successful growths," samples were received as pro- 

 duced in nine states. The I.Icxican cotton is consumed at home. Tliese 

 extensive collections with the fine series of home production forms one 

 of the most complete and valuable collections that could be well gotten 

 together. 



3. — Sterculiace^. 



This is a large family of tropical South African or Australian shrubs, 

 trees, or herbs, many of them furnishing fiber having somewhat the ap- 

 l)earance of malvaceous fiber. The specimens included in our list are 

 all from trees, natives of Australia. 



StercuUa acerifolia. — The Flame Tree. — Nearly all the species of this 

 genus are trees, many of them of large size, and most abundant in Asia 

 and the Asiatic islands. They are also found sparingly in America, 

 Africa, and Australia, and for the most part inhabit tropical countries. 

 The inner bark of the stercuUas is composed of tough fiber which is not 

 affected by wet. 



8. acerifolia is a native of New South Wales, and is a lofty tree. Dr. 

 Guilfoyle states that the bark is fully two inches thick when the tree is 

 full grown, and furnishes bast of a most beautiful lace-like texture. 

 The fiber is very simply prepared by steeping, and is suitable for cord- 

 age and nets, ropes, mats, baskets, &c., and is useful as a paper mate- 

 rial. The tow is of a very elastic nature, and is suitable for upholstering 

 purposes, such as stuiSng mattresses or pillows. The specimens were 

 received from Victoria (Exhibition, 1876), and were prepared by Dr. 

 Guilfoyle. 



Sterculia diversifolia. — The Victorian Bottle Tree. — This species is a 

 native of Victoria, and is a stout, glabrous tree, having a peculiar bot- 

 tle-shaped trunk. The bast is similar to that of S. acerifolia, but coarser 

 in texture. The fiber is suitable for coarse ropes and cordage. It would 

 also make fine matting, and could be used as a paper material. From 

 Dr. Guilfoyle, Victorian collection. 



jSterculia rupestris. — The Queensland Bottle Tree. — A native of 

 Queensland, where the tree attains a considerable height, and has an 

 enormous bottle-shaped trunk, from which it derives its name. Its bark 

 is thick and strong, and can be used for the same purposes as the other 

 species. Dr. Guilfoyle, A-^ictorian collection. 



SUrcidia luriila. — "Sycamore" of the Colonists. — This species is a 

 native of New South Wales. The tree is of large size, resembling 

 acerifolia in appearance. " Its bark is a valuable fiber-yielding mate- 

 rial." In New South Wales it is made up into a variety of fancy arti- 

 cles by the colonists. The fiber is the inner bark of the tree, and when 

 freshly stripped has a lace-like character which adapts it for fancy work. 

 Dr. Guilfoyle, Victorian collection. 



Sterculia fcctida. — This species, a native of New South Wales, is also 

 indigenous in the East Indies and the Malayan Peninsula. The fiber is 

 similar to the preceding, and is manufactured into mats, ])ags, cordage, 

 and paper. S. quadrifula is another New South Wales species, also rej)- 

 reseuted in Dr. Guilfoylc's collection. Sterculia villosa is a native of 



