458 BIOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS 



like plant of the Philippines. From this are made the best ropes, 

 binder twine, bagging, and sail cloth. 



Coconut fiber comes from the outer husk of the coconut and 

 is used for cordage and for the familiar brown door mats. 



FIG. 144. Sea Island Cotton (Gossypium barbadense, 

 Mallow Family, Malvacece). Flowering top, j. (Schu- 

 mann.) Similar to upland cotton but with seed black. 

 Native home, West Indies. From Sargent. 



Other uses for vegetable fibers are in the manufacture of cheap 

 brushes, brooms, matting, packing, and upholstery. 



Fuels. The next topic in our list of plant uses is fuel. While 

 this is of enormous importance, it needs little explanation, as all 

 are familiar with coal and wood and must know that gas is made 

 from the former. Peat is an important fuel in some parts of Europe 



