RAMIE. 53 



In the plant's growth there is necessarily a difference in the length 

 of its internodes, the shortest being towards the apex or growing point, 

 and the longest in the intermediate part of the stems ; this must be 

 instrumental in varying the length of the bastose or filasse fibres of 

 the cortical region of the plant. 



As a perennial plant it contrasts with the flax and hemp plants, 

 which only last for a single season, being hence termed annuals. 



The epidermis of Boehmeria nivea stem is hardly suitable to be 

 mixed with the true bast fibres on account of its brown colour and 

 roughened surface. 



Fig. 33. Filasse fibres (combed). 



Karamushi Fibres. General Gowey, the U.S. Consul in Japan, 

 recently sent a communication on the Karamushi fibre from Yokohama, 

 from which the following notes are quoted : "The distinctions between 

 the two (Ramie and Karamushi) is that ramie as compared with karamushi 

 is a little stronger, the leaves larger, and both sides of the leaves green in 

 colour, while the lower surface of the leaves of karamushi (China grass) 

 is white. In this country karamushi only is cultivated, there being no 

 ramie. The most important place for the cultivation of the karamushi is 

 Yamagata Ken; next in importance are Aizer, in Fukushima Ken, 

 Niigata-Ken, and Kara Ken. In the district of North-east and Central 

 Japan, Kiushu and Shikoku, karamushi frequently grows wild at the 

 base of mountains." 



