124 SUNN HEMP 



an average diameter of about 0*0012 inch. The 

 fibres do not taper to a point, but the ends are thickened 

 and rounded. 



The value of the fibre in the London market, where 

 it is known as " Bombay hemp," depends on the 

 colour, length and other characters, and usually varies 

 from about 15 to 30 per ton. 



RAMIE, RHEA, OR CHINA GRASS 



The fibre known as ramie, rhea, or China grass is 

 obtained from the stem of a plant of the natural 

 order Urticaceae, or nettle family, which grows to the 

 height of 4 to 8 feet, and in appearance, habit and 

 growth somewhat resembles the common nettle, 

 Urtica dioica, but is devoid of stinging hairs. 



There are two varieties of the plant. One of these, 

 the China grass plant, which has been cultivated by 

 the Chinese from very early times under the name of 

 " ch'u ma," is known botanically as Boehmeria nivea. 

 The distinguishing characteristic of this form is the 

 presence of numerous, short, silvery hairs on the 

 under-side of the leaves which gives them a white, 

 felted appearance. The other variety, which is 

 termed " rhea " in the islands of the Malay Archi- 

 pelago, is known as Boehmeria nivea var. tenacissima 

 or the green-leaved China grass. It closely resembles 

 the Chinese plant, but the leaves are green on both 

 sides. 



The true China grass plant is cultivated chiefly in 

 China and Formosa, whilst B. nivea var. tenacissima 

 is adapted to growth in tropical countries, such as the 

 Malay Islands and Mexico. The Indian plant has 

 been stated by many writers to be the form B. nivea 

 var. tenacissima, but Sir George Watt, who has made 

 a special study of this question, affirms that it is the 

 same variety as the Chinese plant. 



The fibre is derived from the inner bark or bast 

 tissue of the stems. 



