NILGIRI NETTLE PANAMA HATS. 43 



into soups or pickled like capers. They are full of a nutritive mucilage, 

 and when buttered and spiced, make a very rich jelly. 



Doha Fibres (Polypodinm phymatodes, Polypodiaceae). The red 

 polypody of the East Indies was introduced into England in 1823 as an 

 exotic ornamental fern. Little has been known of its fibres, and we are 

 indebted for our information to a report forwarded by Mr R. T. Simons, 

 H.M. Consul in Tahiti, of the principal fibres obtainable in the Islands 

 of the Society Group. 



Ortica. In the Descriptive Catalogue of Useful Fibre Plants of the 

 World, by Mr. C. Richards Dodge, recently issued by the United States 

 Department of Agriculture, the following note (p. 213) appears 

 respecting Laportea Canadensis : " The fibres of this species before the 

 introduction of cotton had an application more extensive than at present 

 in Europe, where, particularly in Germany and in more northern countries, 

 they manufactured the cloth called ortica (German Nesseltuch, or nettle 

 cloth." Probably the name "Ortica" is a corruption of the Latin name 

 of the nettle, viz., Urtica. 



Palmetto Leaf Fibres. These are obtained from the leaves of the 

 Cliamwrops glabra. The plant grows in the marshy districts of Bermuda. 

 Yarious articles of utility, such as hats, bonnets, card-racks, and fans 

 have been made from the leaves, and ropes from the fibres of this 

 plant. 



Palmetto Straw (Amomum angustifoUum, Scitamineae). This 

 plant is a native of the Island of Madagascar, and was introduced into 

 England about the beginning of the eighteenth century. The plant is 

 closely allied to the ginger plant. It has flowers with five abortive and one 

 perfect stamen, and bears linear lanceolate leaves. The latter are used in 

 the Caicos for the purpose of straw hat making, where it forms an 

 important industry for the poorer people. The plant belongs to the 

 Scitamineae, the Gingerwort family. 



Palmite (Prionium palmita, Juncaceae). A native of South 

 Africa, growing in marshy situations. The leaves have been used for 

 basket making, and the fibrous portion of the old leaves for brushes 

 and cordage. It has also been employed in the manufacture of paper. 



Pampas Grass (Gynerium argenteum, Grammes). A native of 

 South America. The plant is tall, with spiny serrulated leaves. It is 

 used for ornamental or decorative purposes, especially in drawing rooms. 

 The compound panicle of the flowers and fruit has a graceful, feathery 

 appearance, hanging in fine filamentous tufts. As a useful, elegant, 

 and decorative grass, it scarcely has an equal. 



Panama Hats (Carludovica palmata, Pandanacese). These are made 

 of the young unexpanded leaves of the plant, which is a native of Peru, 



