532 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



12. — CORDIACE^. 



CordiamacrophyUa., Cordia sehastina, Cordia gerascanthus. — Small sam- 

 ples of fiber from these three species of cordiaceous plants were received 

 Irora the Smithsonian Institution (1869), without locality or other data 

 than name. The plants of this genus, numbering 200 or more species, 

 are found in various tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. They 

 are trees and shrubs, and have been valued for their medical qualities, 

 and for timber, more than for fiber, which is known as NaravaU. In 

 Mysore, Cordia angitstifolia, called by the natives Narnuli,* is used in 

 the manufacture of rope. The bark is extracted in ribbon-like layers, 

 and then twisted into cordage. It is possible some of the species might 

 yield a useful fiber for textile purposes, though the examples in the mu- 

 seum are very inferior. In its lace-bark appearance the bast resembles 

 StercuUa ; it is white in color, soft, and of inferior tenacity. 



13. — Thymalacb^. 



Lagetta Unteana. — Lace-bark of the West Indies — There is quite a 

 pretty and interesting series of lace-barks in the museum, the most 

 beautiful of which is the species named above. It is remarkable for the 

 net-like appearance of its easily-separated layers of bark, and when de- 

 tached and slightly pulled apart, so that the fibers shall not be parallel, 

 exhibits a beautiful natural lace of creamy whiteness and " soft finish." 

 There are a number of examples, the most interesting of which is a sec- 

 tion of the tree itself, about a foot in length, enveloped in its natural 

 bark at one end, while at the other the layers of inner bark are pulled 

 apart and frayed to exhibit the lace, which is seen in concentric layers, 

 the fibers interweaving in every direction. The specimens are from 

 Jamaica, where the tree goes by the name Lagetto. It is said that the 

 governor of Jamaica presented to Charles II a cravat, frill, and pair of 

 ruffles made from this material. On the islaud it is made into very beau- 

 tiful articles of wearing apparel, such as collars, bonnets, &c.; and even 

 the museum specimens have been coveted by lady visitors as trimming 

 for hats. I have never heard of the fiber being used regularly for cord- 

 age, though it is sold in long strijis in the i)ubiic streets of some of the 

 cities of Brazil. It has sometimes been made into thongs, with which to 

 whip negroes. 



Daphne temdfolia. — Somewhat similar to the above are the plants of 

 the genus Daphne, which are widely distributed throughout the globe,^ 

 in both temperate and tropical climates. There are a number of fine' 

 examples in the museum, from Brazil, and other localities, and among 

 them one specimen of I>. cannahina (Smithsonian Institution, 1869). 

 Their principal use is in the manufacture of paper of varying quality, the 

 best of which has the recommendation of being strong and tough, and 

 not liable to crack or tear, when creased and folded, and not liable to 

 be affected by dampness. In India, its durability renders it valuable 

 for deeds and records. 



In Nepal the bark of D. eannabina, and D. Ed^worthii is thus employed. For tliia 

 pnrpose it is scraped and boiled in water with a small quantity of oak-ashes ; after 

 this it is washed and beaten to a pulp on a stone, and then spread out on a mould or 

 frame of bamboo matting. Some of the museum specimens are beaten out into a 



* These two names are doubtless the same, the orthography having accidentally 

 heen changed. It is worthy of remarlc that the dilferences in the spelling of Indian 

 names by various authorities may be due to their having written the names as they 

 seemed to be pronounced by the natives. " Jeetee " and " Chittee " are examples. 



