VEGETABLE FIBERS. 527 



in streDgtliand durability." Tests of Dhuncliee rope, with that of Jub- 

 bulpore hemp aiid piueapple fiber were as follows : A 3.J inch (in cir- 

 cumfereuce) untarred, 4-straud rope of Dimchee broke with a strain of 

 75 cwt,, and 3^ untarred, 4-straud rope of Jubbulpore broke with 83 cwt. ; 

 and a rope of piueapple fiber, same dimensions as the last, and same 

 conditions, required a strain of 57 cwt. to snap it. Although Eoyle holds 

 this plant in such high estimation, a recent authority, in the " report on 

 the cidtivation of jute in Bengal," it is stated that "it is of little value 

 as a fiber-producing species." It is common in every part of India. Its 

 sticks are extensively used in Bengal as props for vines and creepers in 

 gardens, and also for fuel. " The fil3er, as usually prepared, is coarse but 

 strong, and is employed in the manufacture of cordage of an inferior 

 quality. It is never used to adulterate jute." There is no specimen of 

 this fiber in the museum, but as there is an allied species growing in this 

 country, producing the Colorado River hemp, a description of the India 

 fiber becomes interesting. The American representative is mentioned 

 below. 



Seahania macrocmjja. — Samples of the canes or stems of this plant 

 were sent to the Department of Agriculture several years ago from the 

 Colorado Kiver, and more recently specimens of a very coarse fiber have 

 been received from Dr. E. W. Palmer, known as " Colorado Eiver hemj)," 

 which, in all probability, is derived from this plant. Dr. Parry in- 

 formed me that the plant is very abundant on the alluvial banks of the 

 Colorado, and could be obtained in large quantities. It also grows in 

 South Carolina, Arkansas, and Texas. 



The fiber is 3 or 4 feet long, and the filaments are exceedingly coarse, 

 and resemble flat ribbons of fiber, uncommonly white and lustrous, and 

 clear and smooth to a remarkable degree. Single filaments are quite 

 strong, but when several are twisted together lose a part of their 

 strength; a defect sometimes observed in better fibers. It is somewhat 

 elastic, but its smoothness and elasticity are not in its favor where te- 

 nacity is required, as the filaments wiU not cling when worked together, 

 the strain coming upon individual fibers, first one and then another giv- 

 ing way, and the rope, therefore, weakened. As an evidence of this, I 

 am enabled to draw out a filament two feet long from a little package of 

 fibers folded five or six times and tied with a string without entangling 

 in the least the fibers remaining in the package. It is sufiiciently strong 

 for small cordage for ordinary use, though too coarse for fish-line or 

 twine. Compared with the fiber of Apocynum (our Indian hemp), or even 

 with okra, it is a very indifierent fiber. It is prepared and used to some 

 extent in the locahty where grown, and is doubtless easily manipulated. 

 The sticks or canes are very straight, and are about a third of an inch 

 in diameter. 



Bauhinia splendens. — The Chain Creeper.— These leguminous plants are 

 extensively diffused throughout the tropics, and are found particularly 

 in India and South America. They are generally climbing plants, at- 

 taining great size, though some are shrubs. Two large coils of rope 

 made from bark of the Chain Creeper were received from Brazil and 

 Venezuela (Exhibition, 1876). In the last-named country the tree is 

 called Bejuco de Cadence. Dr. Ernst, of the Venezuelan commission, says 

 the plant is common in th<3 hot, damp forests. " The stems are extremely 

 tiexi])le and tough, so they can be used as cords, being more durable 

 tlian iron nails, which in the damp atmosphere rust very soon and give 

 way. The ribbon-like strip is very dark— almost biaxik— and the cordage 

 made from it is of the very coarsest description, the entire bark often, 



