JUTE. 



29 



According to Cross and Bevau, the substance of the jute fibre is 

 not cellulose, but a peculiar derivative of it which has been termed 

 " bastose." 



The jute fibre readily dissolves in alkalies and mineral acids at a low 

 temperature. Sulphuric acid and iodine turns the fibre yellow. 



Kaffir Hemp (Grewia occidentalis, Tiliaceae). A native of the Cape 

 of Good Hope. The leaves are roundish, ovate, obtuse, with toothed 

 margins and smooth surfaces. A bast fibre has been ob- 

 tained from the stem by a process of retting; the fibre is 

 white and of considerable strength, and is known as Kaffir 

 hemp. 



Another species, Grewia oppositifolia, is a native of the 

 Himalayas ; it has been used for making ropes and in the 

 manufacture of cloth. 



Karatas Fibre (Karatas Plumieri, Bromeliacese). 

 According to Dr. Seeman, the fibres of this plant have been 

 used by the shoemakers of Panama under the name of pita. 

 The plant is indigenous in Central America, Brazil, and 

 Guiana ; it belongs to the order Bromeliaceae, the Pine 

 Apple family. 



Kendir Fibre (Apocynum venetum, Linn. ; Apocynacese). 

 The plant producing the Kendir fibre is also known as 

 Dog's Bane. It is a native of islands in the Adriatic Sea, 

 and was introduced into England for ornamental purposes 

 in 1690. It is only within the last few years that the 

 plant has received attention for the commercial use of its fibres, which 

 were brought into notice by the authorities at Kew. 



Fibres obtained from the stems and branches have been used for 

 fishing nets and ropes, also in the manufacture of Russian paper 

 money. Another species (A. Canndbinum) has been utilised for twine 

 bags, and as a substitute for hemp. 



Kie Kie (Freycinetia Banksii). A plant of the screw pine family 

 (Pandanacete) from the leaves of which mats have been made. 



Ko Hemp (Pueraria Thuribergiana, Leguminosse). The bast fibres 

 of this plant have been used in India and China in the manufacture of 

 material for summer clothing. The plant has a trailing habit resembling 

 that of the genus Wistaria. The fibres are developed in the soft suc- 

 culent stems of the plant. 



Lace bark (Lagetta lintearia, Thymelacese). This tree is a native 

 of Jamaica. Its outer bark is smooth and light coloured, with glands 

 on the surface and numerous lenticels. It resembles the bark of the 

 Silver Birch. The inner cortical tissue or bast fibres are repeatedly 



Fig. 17. 



Jute fibres 



(magn.). 



