VEGETABLE FIBERS, 535 



nacit^'. Tlie specimens were accompanied by a dilly-bag", made by an 

 Australian aboriginal. The wood of this tree is soft and fibrous, and 

 might be i)ulped up for fiber. It is claimed that the best and strongest 

 fiber is obtained from the bark of the roots. The fiber is easily prepared 

 and can be obtained in quantity. 



15.— MORACE^. 



BroussoneUa papyrifera. — The Paper Mulberry. — This interesting and 

 well-known plant is a native of the islands of the Southern Ocean, as 

 well as China and Japan, but has been introduced into many other coun- 

 tries, and is now a common tree in gardens. In Japan, where it is highly 

 esteemed for its fibrous qualities, it is known as the Kodzu ; in China it 

 is called Tchou and ffoa-Jw-chu. Kendang is the Javanese name for the 

 plant, while in the Fiji Islands it is known as Ma-lo. 



In Tahiti and other South Pacific islands a species of cloth is manu- 

 factured from its bark known as Tappa, Tapa, or Kapa, an interesting 

 series of which are shown in the department collection. 



It is said that the finest and whitest cloth and mantles worn by Sand- 

 wich Islanders and " the principal people of Otaheite," are made from 

 the bark of this tree. It dyes readily, particularly in red, and takes a 

 good color. Tapa cloth is also printed ; a large sheet from the Fiji 

 Islands, in possession of the department, being stamped or rudely printed 

 in black, in large checks or squares resembling the patch- work comfort- 

 able. The manner in which the fiber is beaten out by the native women 

 of Otaheite is very curious. The cleansed fibers are spread out on plant-' 

 ain leaves to the length of about 11 or 12 yards ; these are placed on a 

 regular and even surface of about a foot in breadth. Two or three lay- 

 ers are thus placed one ui3on another, much attention being paid to 

 making the cloth of uniform thickness ; if thinner in one place than 

 another a thicker piece is laid over this place, when the next layer is laid 

 doAvn. The cloth is left to dry during the night, and, a part of the moist- 

 ure being evaporated, the several layers are found to adhere together 

 so that the wliole mass may be lifted from the ground in one piece. It 

 is then laid on a long smooth plank of wood prepared for the purpose, 

 and beaten with a wooden instrument about a foot long and three inches 

 square. Each of the four sides has longitudinal grooves of different de- 

 grees of fineness, the depth and width of those on one side being suffi- 

 cient to receive a small pack-thread, the other sides being finer in a reg- 

 ular gradation, so that the grooves of the last would scarcely admit 

 anything coarser than sewing-silk. A lon^ handle is attached, and the 

 cloth is first beaten with its coarsest side, and spreads very fast under 

 the strokes ; it is then beaten with the otlier sides successively, and is 

 then considered fit for use. Sometimes, lioiw^cver, it is made still thinner 

 by beating it, after it has been several tim^s doubled, with the finest side 

 of the mallet, and it can thus be attenuated until it becomes as fine as 

 muslin. Should the cloth break under this process, it is easUy repaired 

 by laying on a piece of bark, which is made to adhere by means of a 

 glutinous substance made from the an'ow-root, and this is done with 

 such nicety that the break can hardly be detected. In other islands the 

 bark is kept wet and scraped witli sharp-edged shells. It is said the 

 King of the Friendly Islands had a piece made which was 120 feet wide 

 and 2 miles long. 



In Japan, it may be mentioned as a peculiarity that a kind of cloth is 

 made from paper derived from this tree. It is cut into thin strips, 

 which are twisted together and spooled, to be used in the woof of the 



