CHITRANG DEVIL'S COTTON. 11 



on the right of the illustration. The panicles of flowers when nearly 

 mature and when in seed have a rufous brown colour, and are arranged 

 laterally up the stalk, as shown in the illustration. The stalks grow 

 from 2 to 6 feet high, and occasionally they reach as much as 8 or 

 9 feet. The plant has a glaucous hue, and is an ornament of the maritime 

 marshes. 



Coquita fibres (Jubxa spectabilis, Palmaceae). A native of Chili, 

 South America. It is a tall palm tree with rudimentary scale-like 

 structures at the base of the petioles. 



From the back a fibre is obtained of considerable strength, which is 

 much used for cordage purposes. Cables have been made from the bark 

 fibres and are reputed to be more durable than hemp cables. 



Cordyline (Cordyline edulis, Liliacese). This plant belongs to the 

 asphodel family (Liliacese). A garment formed of cordyline fibre and 

 dyed with the bark of a species of " Fagus " or Beech is in No. 2 Museum 

 of the Royal Gardens, Kew. 



Dab (Poa Cynosuroides, Gramineae). The culms of this species of 

 meadow grass have been used in some parts of India for making mats 

 and ropes. 



It is known commercially as "Dab" grass. Some botanists have 

 considered it to be a species of Eragrostis. 



Dagger Plant (Yucca aloifolia, Liliacese). A liliaceous plant, the 

 leaves of which have been used as material for the straw-like plaiting of 

 bonnets. Many species of this genus are remarkable for their sword- 

 shaped or ensiform leaves, often terminating in a horny needle-like point, 

 hence the name of " Adam's needle " given to this genus. 



Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera, Palmaceae). The common date palm 

 is a native of the Levant. In Barbary bags are made from its leaves. 

 The Egyptians use the leaves as fly flaps, and as brushes for cleaning 

 their clothes. 



Fibres of the date palm have also been used for making cords, ropes, 

 baskets, and hats. 



Bentley * says of this plant : " The leaves, the fibres obtained from 

 the leaf stalks, the wood, and, in fact, nearly every part of this palm is 

 applied to some useful purpose." 



Devil's Cotton or Abrome (Abroma augusta, Byttneriacese). 

 The plant is a native of the East Indies ; it was introduced into England 

 in 1770. The peculiarly white bark has yielded fine silky fibres from 

 which cordage has been made. It has been recommended as a substitute 

 for silk. The fibres can easily be detached by maceration. Dr. Watts 

 says : " There are many purposes to which Jute is put nowadays, which 



1 Manual of Botany. 



