FOREST PRODUCTS. 



Bauhinia Sp. The bark of all the bauhinias is fibrous 

 and yield a good bast. 



Bohmeria Malabarica. This small tree yields a magnifi- 

 cent silky fibre greatly valued by the Coorchias and other 

 aboriginal tribes for bow strings on account of its great 

 strength. It grows freely in all shola forests in the 

 neighbourhood of water iu ravines. The fibre closely 

 resembles the rheea and might be profitably cultivated. 

 It is known by the Coorchias under the name of Manuali. 

 There are several other bohmerias in the Ghat forests 

 which furnish excellent fibre. 



Bohmeria nivea. The Rheea has been introduced into 

 the Manantoddy Botanical Garden, and has thriven there. 



Bombax Malabaricum. The silky down of this tree is 

 largely used on the coast for stuffing pillows, &c. The 

 fibre from the bark can be made into cordage. 



Borassus flab elli for mis. The petioles of the leaves are 

 fibrous, and can be utilised for paper or cordage. 



Buteafrondosa. The bark yields a strong fibre. 



Calamus Sp. Canes and rattans are extensively used in 

 the district. The former principally for walking sticks ; 

 those from the Anamallay forests are famous. Rattans are 

 used for ropes across rivers and in the Wynaad in the 

 monsoon, almost all large rivers are crossed on bamboo rafts 

 with a loop at the head through which the rattan cable 

 passes. By hauling the cable, the raft is gradually forced 

 across the river. On the Anamallays deer and ibex are 

 snared with rattan nooses. The uses to which all species 

 of calamus are put are innumerable. 



Calatropis Gigantea. This shrub is found in Palghat. 

 The bark yields a very strong, soft, silky, fibre used for 

 fishing-lines, &c. 



Cannabis Saliva. Hemp is not cultivated for its fibre 

 at all in the district. A few plants are occasionally seen 

 near the houses of natives, who grow it solely for the 



127 



