172 THE USES OF PLANTS. 



source of Alfa or Esparto, which is not derived from 

 Lygeum spartum, L. It was introduced in 1856 by Mr. 

 Thomas Routledge, and sells at 6 to 10 per ton.* 



Musa textilis, Nees, Manila hemp, of which we im- 

 ported 407,000 cwt. in 1880, mainly for cordage, and 

 worth from 20 to 70 per ton. 



Phormtum tenax, Forst, introduced from New 

 Zealand in 1822, and unsuccessfully planted in Ireland, 

 but now grown successfully in the Orkney Islands. 

 The demand exceeds the supply, and though there are 

 several varieties or qualities of the fibre, better rope 

 can be made from it even than from Musatextilis, and 

 it sells at from 17 to 22 per ton, the refuse only 

 being used for paper, t 



Sida rhombifolia, L. (retusa), Queensland Hemp, 

 which grows like a weed, and is suitable for paper, but 

 costs 30 per ton. 



Tilia europaa, L., the LINDEN or LlME, a British 

 tree, belonging to the same Natural Order as the Jute, 

 has an abundant, tough and flexible inner bark or 

 BAST; largely imported from Russia as RUSSIA 

 MATTING. 



Tillandsia usneoides^ L., Spanish Moss or Vegetable 

 Horsehair, shipped from New Orleans, mainly for 

 stuffing. 



Mr. Christy has recently recommended]: the fibre 

 of Musa Ensele, Gmel., of Abyssinia, which was re- 

 discovered by Mr. Plowden in 1853. In that year also 

 the source of the interesting Rice-paper of China was 

 ascertained as Fatsia papyrifera, Decaisne. 



* L. Bastide, ' L'Alfa,' Oran, 1877, 8vo. 



f W. Gibbs, 'New Zealand Flax,' London, 1865, 8vo. 



% ' New Commercial Plants,' No. 9, p. 25. 



