148 THE ASCLEPIAS, AND OTHER TREES. 



" There is a species of Asclepias, called by the 

 natives Ootralee, and Bydunka, which grows in the 

 hedges of this district. The bark of the young shoots 

 yields a very fine, and exceedingly strong silky 

 fibre, similar, I imagine, to that described by Rox- 

 burgh as the production of Asclepias Tenacissima. 

 The Ootralee is the strongest vegetable fibre I have 

 ever met with. It might be worth while to culti- 

 vate the plant for the sake of its fibre. 



" Dillenia speciosa, called by the natives Chalta, 

 is occasionally found growing wild on indifferent 

 soils. It is a very beautiful tree, and the fruit is 

 eaten by the natives. The wood is hard and tough, 

 but I cannot find that the native carpenters make 

 any use of it." 



(Signed) A. MILLS. 



