562 REPOET OP THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



inclies thick. For common matting, rice-straw is used, or other rushes, 

 as Scirpiis laciistris^ Sydro]^grum latifoUum, &c., are employed, which 

 grow everywhere. 



The finer kinds of rushes (J", effusus) are sometimes bleached in the 

 sun, which gives them a whitish instead of the usual yellow color. Of 

 the same rushes a lighter matting is made which serves as blinds for 

 windows, to protect from rain the thin transparent paper which answers 

 for §'lass. The pith of rushes is sometimes used in making rush lights. 



The fiber of the tall variety of Victoria (J", vaginatus) is sometimes 

 over 2 feet in length, while that of the smaller one is 18 to 20 inches. 

 In color it is a golden yellow. Under the magnifier the filaments are 

 exceedingly irregular and rough, and are quite brittle. Twisted together 

 into a thread they are as easily broken as Manila paper twine of the 

 same thickness. Specimens of paper were also received, manufactured 

 from both varieties, as well as from the " CoasfEush," Junciia maritimus. 



Astelia Banlcsii. — This is a genus of sedge -like rushes found in the 

 islands of the Southern Ocean. The plant is a native of Xew Zealand, 

 and grows to a height of 4 feet. "It is rich in fiber suitable for ropes, 

 paper," &c. The leaves of A. aZ^^ma, which grow on the sand-hills of 

 the coast of Tasmania are edible. The fiber is of a dirty yellow color, 

 the "filaments" exceedingly coarse and wiry; rather brittle when bent 

 sharply, but of considerable strength when tested with a lateral strain. 

 The specimen in the collection of the department was prepared by Dr. 

 Guilfoyle. 



24.— Cyperace^. 



Lepidosjpermaflexuosum. — The Slender Sword Eush. — Habitat, Victoria. 

 A specimen of fiber from this species was received with the Australian 

 collection. It is exceedingly brittle, and can only be used in mats or 

 similar articles, where it can be coarsely plaited. According to Dr. 

 Guilfoyle, the material can be had in large quantities, and is extensively 

 used by the aborigines for baskets, mats, &c. He states that "under 

 proper treatment it yields a fiber of good quality," though the present 

 sample Avould hardly verily the statement. It, however, might be used 

 in paper making, though at best is a poor "fiber." 



Lepidosperma eJatius. — The TaU Sword Grass. — This specimen shows 

 a much better and stronger fiber than the preceding, and would prove 

 useful for making many kinds of coarse cordage. The leaves and 

 flower-stalks of the plant gTOw to a height of 9 feet in Victoria, and the 

 plant is found in great abundance, and can be had in large quantities. 

 It furnishes a pulp for paper-making, and is used in various ways by the 

 natives. This spccunen is also from the Victorian collection (Exhibition, 

 1876), and was prepared by Dr. Guilfoyle. 



Cladium radida. — The Black Eeed. — This specimen was prepared by 

 Dr. Guilfoyle, who says : "' This coarse-growing, sedge-like grass can be 

 had in enormous quantities throughout the colony (Victoria). It is ex- 

 tensively used by the settlers as a thatching material." It is a native 

 of Austraha. As a "fiber" it is of no value, as it has little strength. 

 It is doubtful if it would make a good paper-stock. 



25. — Geamine-s:. 



Zca ways.— Indian Corn— Maize. — One of the most interesting exhib- 

 its in the fiber collection of the museum is a series of specimens illus- 

 trating the manufacture of corn-husks into a textile material. The 



