56 TEXTILE FIBRES. 



Commercial Factors. The ramie fibre when handled has a soft silky 

 feel, but in pulling a staple this becomes reduced and gives way to harsh- 

 ness when the length of staple is drawn out. The pulling of the staple 

 does not show that close resistance of the fibres that is met with in 

 cotton staples. In the cotton fibres the actual resistance comes from the 

 close contiguity and spiral character of the fibres, and depends upon their 

 ripeness ; but the drawing of a staple of ramie between the fingers and 

 thumbs shows little resistance due to the contiguity of the fibres to one 

 another. In the staple bulk, again, they do not lie so close together as 

 do those of cotton fibres. This slapeiness may be put down to the want 

 of spiral character in the fibres. What resistance there is in the staple 

 of ramie comes from the length of the fibres as they are drawn out from 

 their entanglements, and the nearly glabrous surface of the fibres. 



In Rhea or Ramie fibre it has been found in practical working that 

 the fibres break up and become short, hence it yields a weak fibre in 

 commercial usage. In many cases this has been ascribed to the use of 

 acids in separating the fibres from the cortex, or in the degumming of 

 the tissues, but it happens also when no acid has been used. Probably 

 as the ramie fibre is made up of small fibrils, the weakness is due to the 

 long fibre separating into these smaller fibrils. 



Rattan Cane (Calamus rudentum, Palmacese). A native of the 

 East Indies. Loudon says: "There are several species or varieties, all 

 distinguished by a stem which is perennial, unbranched, long, round, 

 solid jointed, (climbing) scandent when near trees, but without prickles 

 or tendrils, extremely tough and pliable. The different sorts grow on 

 the banks of rivers in the East, like our reeds, and furnish valuable 

 props for plants, cables, ropes, withes, wicker and wattled work, hoops 

 for petticoats, walking sticks, etc." 



Here. These are bast fibres from the plant known as Oypholophus 

 macroceplialus. It is a native of the Pacific Islands. This bast fibre is 

 made into fine white mats. These mats are highly valued by the native 

 chiefs, their possession being regarded as a sign of wealth. 



Rush-leaved Lygeum (Lygeum spartium, Gramiuese). This plant 

 is the rush-leaved grass of Spain, and was introduced into this country 

 for ornamental purposes in 1776. 



The name Lygeum signifies a bend, in allusion to its flexible texture. 

 Loudon says: "This plant is used in Spain, Provence, and other places, 

 for making ropes, baskets, nets, and for filling their palliasses, or lower 

 mattresses. Ropes were made of it by the Romans. Esparto (spartium) 

 is the Spanish appellation of this and others grasses used for similar pur- 

 poses." 



Rozelle Hemp (Hibiscus Sabdari/a, Malvaceae). These fibres are 



