64 TEXTILE FIBRES. 



No. 23 shows the bast fibres after heckling or cleaning. 



Xo. 24 is sisal yarn spun out of the fibres after heckling. 



No. 25 is a sample of rope made from the spun yarn shown in 

 Xo. 24. It is composed of three strands well twisted together. 



Soap Tree (Quillaja saponaria, Rosaceas). This interesting tree has 

 been placed by botanists in the Xatural Order Rosacea?, the Rose family. 

 It is a South American plant, almost restricted to Chili. It was intro- 

 duced into England in 1832. The bark of the tree has been much used 

 as a substitute for soap. A preparation of it has been employed in this 

 country as a vegetable dressing to prevent the growth of fungi, to remove 

 scurfiness, and as a preventive of baldness. 



Soft Rush (Juncus effusus, Juncaceae). The common Soft rush has 

 been used for platting into mats and chair bottoms, and the pith has 

 been utilised for the wicks of candles. 



The Hard rush, Juncus glaucus, has been utilised in the making of 

 brooms and whisks. The leaves are not nearly so smooth as those of Juncus 

 efusus ; they are less pliable, fluted, and crack more readily. The hard 

 rush generally grows in dry situations; its brittle character renders it 

 unfit to be utilised for some purposes. 



Somali-land Fibre (Sanseviera Ehrenbergii, Liliacese). The fibres of 

 this plant were at one time imported as " aloe fibre." According to Dr. 

 Morris, it was identified as a species of Sanseviera in 1892, and was named 

 by Dr. Schweinfurth S. Ehrenbergii, to commemorate the name of Ehren- 

 berg, a famous botanist. The plant is a native of Africa ; specimens of it 

 can be seen growing in the Palm house and Temperate house at Kew. It 

 has stout, rigid, glaucous leaves, terminating in a mucro or horny point 

 at the apex. Dr. Morris says of this plant : " The fibre received in this 

 country was described by Messrs. Ide and Christie as an excellent fibre 

 of fair length and with plenty of life .... with the exception of its 

 colour, its preparation is perfect and even as we value it to-day (27th 

 June 1892) at 25 per ton." 



To obtain the fibres of this plant to advantage, it is essential that it 

 should be prepared directly on the spot as soon as it is gathered in its 

 cultivated situation, otherwise it is not so serviceable. 



Spathodea (Spathodea Rheedii, BignoniaceaB). A native of the East 

 Indies, where the fibres have been used in net-making. 



Sunn Hemp, India or Jubbulpore Hemp (Crotalaria juncea, Linn., 

 LeguminosaB). This material is derived from the bast fibres of Crotalaria, 

 and is obtained from the stem by retting. The plant is a native of 

 India, the Malay Islands, and Australia, and belongs to the Natural Order 

 LeguminossB. It is a cordage fibre plant. Of these fibres Mr. J. R. 

 Jackson, A.L.S., Keeper of the Museums, Royal Gardens, Kew, says : 



