87 



CHAPTER V. 

 FIBRES APPLICABLE TO CORDAGE. 



SUNN PAAT CHINESE HEMP NEW ZEALAND FLAX 



AND GRASS, &C. 



ALTHOUGH the hemp plant has been cultivated in 

 India from time immemorial, it has never been em- 

 ployed by the natives in the manufacture of cordage 

 or of cloth as in Europe. 



It is cultivated in small quantities in every part of 

 Hindostari for its narcotic properties*: the flowers 

 of the male, and the leaves of the female plant, are 

 the parts in most general use. Other nations as 

 well as the Hindoos apply this plant to the same 

 purpose. The Madjoon of Constantinople, which 

 the Turks eat in order to produce excitement t, is 

 composed of the flowers of the hemp plant, ground 

 to a powder, and mixed in honey, with pulverized 

 cloves, nutmegs, and saffron. 



The Hindoos call this plant Ganja, and the intoxi-r 

 eating drug prepared from it is designated Bang. 



No difference can be discovered between the Hin- 

 doo ganja and the European hemp, and it is believed 

 that if properly prepared, the former might be applied 

 with equal advantage to every purpose for which the 

 latter is employed. It would, however, require rather 



* We have shown at page 67, on the authority of the Swedish 

 traveller, Thunberg, that the Hottentots cultivated hemp for the 

 same purpose, and mixed it with tobacco for smoking. 



t Travels in Palestine, fcc. by R, R, Madden, Esq, 



