FOREST PRODUCTS. 129 



and suitable for cordage, paper stock, &c. The fibre of tbe 

 aerial rooks of Ficus parasiticus is bigbly valued iii Wynaad 

 for bow strings by the Coorchias and is there knowii as 

 colinar not to be confounded with the coli uar of Cauara 

 which is produced by Helicteres isora, a shrub. 



Girardinia heterophylla. This nettle produces an excel- 

 lent fibre of great strength. It is not used in any way in 

 the district, though the Todas of the Neilgherries extract 

 and use it for thread. 



Grewia tilicefolia. All the Grewias yield good fibre. 

 Wild elephants are very fond of the bark of this species. 

 It is sometimes used for the drag ropes of elephants. 



Helicteres isora. A common shrub in Malabar which 

 yields an excellent fibre, largely used for the large timber 

 drag ropes, by which elephants haul timber in Malabar. 

 It ought to make excellent paper stock. 



Hibiscus Species. All the plants belonging to this genus 

 are fibre producers. The most important however is one 

 in the Wynaad, with a small pink flower, which grows in 

 extraordinary abundance everywhere, and produces a 

 splendid fibre, well worthy of attention (H. procera ?). 



Kydia Calycina. A small tree common in the deciduous 

 forests. The bark yields a fair fibre. 



Laportea crenulata.The bark of this unpleasant shrub 

 yields a white strong fibre ; but the stinging hairs of the 

 petioles of the leaves cause such agony that few care to 

 meddle with the plant. 



Musa textilis. The Manilla hemp produces a very strong 

 and durable fibre. It has been introduced into the Wynaad 

 and thrives there. The fibre would answer well for paper 

 stock. 



Musa ornata grows wild on the slopes of the Western 

 Ghats, and produces a strong but coarse fibre. 



Musa Superba. Abundant in the sholas of the Western 

 Ghats. The natives use the leaves for plates. The fibre i~s> 

 strong and durable. 



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