BUAZE CHAGNAR. 9 



north of the Zambesi, for making threads on which the natives string 

 their beads, etc. The Buaze is the Lophostylis of some authors. 



Cabbage Palm, Australian (Livistonia Australia or Corypha Australis, 

 Palmacese). The leaves of this palm are used for the plaiting material 

 of hats ; belts also have been made from the leaves. 



Another species has been brought into notice, viz., Livistonia Chinensis; 

 the fibres of this plant, particularly those from the fibrous sheath, have 

 been used for making ropes. Specimens of articles, including a hat and 

 a belt made from the Livistonia fibres may 

 be seen in No. 2 Museum of the Koyal 

 Gardens, Kew. 



Cat's Tail or Reed Mace (Tijpha latifolia, 

 Typhacese). This is a monocotyledonous plant 

 which grows in bogs, ditches, and by the sides 

 of brooks. The leaves are long, nearly flat, 

 and have a bluish tint, by which the plant is 

 readily distinguished. It is one of the most 

 striking aquatic plants of the family Typliaceaz. 



Fig. 4 shows the spike-like inflorescence and 

 fruit of the Reed Mace. 



The compact fertile fruit is at first greenish- 

 brown, but later it assumes a dark brown colour 

 and a velvety appearance. 



The leaves have been used by coopers for 

 inserting between the staves of their casks. 

 They have also been used for making chair 

 bottoms, thatching huts, and making baskets. 

 The seeds are finely comose, and when ripe 

 the down easily separates ; it has been used 

 for stuffing pillows. 



Calloose Hemp is a name applied to more 

 than one kind of fibre obtained from the Asiatic 



nettles, probably Urtica tenacissima. It is a 



/. -, -n ., ^1 Fig. 4. Reed mace, 



native of Sumatra and Bungpore ; its fibres are 



exceedingly strong, and can be converted into cordage. China grass-cloth 

 and some other fabrics are made from the fibres of nettle stems. The 

 plant is a nettle, not a hemp, as the name would imply. 



Chagnar Fibre (Bromelia serra, Bromeliacese). The fibres of 

 Chagnar have been made use of by the Mataco Indians for purposes of 

 defence. A cuirass made from the fibres is shown in No. 2 Museum of 

 the Royal Gardens, Kew. 



Mr. Jackson, keeper of the museums, speaking of the above cuirass, 



