57 



downy substance contained in the follicles. This is, 

 however, the least important part of the plant, though 

 far from valueless ; for Dr. Royle tells us it has been 

 found, when mixed with one-fourth of cotton, to 

 produce a capital cloth, that stands washing, and 

 takes a dye well. Another writer describes this 

 plant as follows : " The Calotropis gigantea (dkanda, 

 commonly called rrniddr, Sanskrit arka), is a valu- 

 able medicinal plant, and is largely used in Indian 

 pharmacy. It grows wild on arid wastes, rubbish 

 mounds, and other neglected places, whence it is 

 collected for its milky juice, seeds, and flossy seed 

 covering. The first two products are used in medi- 

 cine, and the last for the decoration of toys. The 

 fibre prepared from its bark is of a superior quality, 

 being, from its thinness, tenacity, brightness and 

 softness, fit for a variety of economic purposes. It 

 is in appearance and strength similar to English 

 flax, though the fibres are somewhat thinner. In 

 Madras, where it also grows wild, it is selected by 

 the natives as the strongest material for bow-strings, 

 gins, and tiger-traps ; but in Bengal it is never 

 manufactured for trade. In Bombay it is known as 

 a fibre-yielding plant, but does not appear to be 

 cultivated to any extent."* 



26. It is evident, therefore, that by fostering the 



fo ou be dSd cultivation of this plant, and others like it, 

 of 8UCh Government would be conferring a double 



* Report of the cultivation of, and trade in, Jute in Bengal, and on 

 Indian Fibres available for the manufacture of Paper. By Baboo Hem 

 Chunder Ker, Deputy Magistrate, on special duty to enquire into the 

 production of, and trade in, Jute. (Page 4. ) 



