STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 



of vegetables. Our own native Shrubby Milkweed has 

 some marked peculiarities which deserve notice : in common 

 with all the Milkweeds it has a strong fine silky fibre in 

 the bark, which can be drawn to a great degree of fineness 

 and in one of the species, Apocynum cannabinum (Indian 

 Hemp), is exceedingly tough and strong; it is said to 

 have been used by the natives in lieu of thread. No doubt 

 it can be put to such purpose. While many writers have 

 dwelt upon the silk contained in the pods of the Milkweeds, 

 suggesting the possible uses to which it might be applied, 

 the more valuable strong flaxen fibre, which is superior in 

 quality- to hemp, seems in a large measure to have escaped 

 public attention. The free growth of the common white- 

 flowered Milkweed, which could be easily cultivated, grow- 

 ing readily and attaining the height of three or four feet, 

 would give a long thread easily divided into the finest 

 strands, and might form, as I have already remarked, a 

 valuable addition in the manufacture of native Canadian 

 fabrics. 



The ancient name, Apocynum, is derived from two Greek 

 words signifying " from a dog " ; this shrub was supposed 

 to be injurious or baneful to dogs, whence its common name, 

 Dogbane. Whether the plant deserves this reproach as 

 regards dogs I cannot say; but truth obliges me to confess 

 that in its pretty treacherous bells many a poor incautious 

 fly meets with a certain, though possibly lingering, death. 

 Lured by the fragrance of its blossoms, which it gives out 

 at dew-fall, hundreds of small black flies seek rest and shelter 

 in the flowers, and are seized instantly by the irritable 

 stamens and held in durance by their legs; and as there 

 is no philanthropist to take his nightly rounds and release 

 them, they perish in their flowery prison. 



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