20 



CASE S.pseudo' China, L,, a plant of the United States, a specimen 

 13. of which is shown. 



On lower shelves note roots of the A^sparagus {Aspai^agns 

 officinalis, L.), formerly used in this country as a diuretic. 

 The blanched shoots are a well-known cultivated vegetable. 

 Note also roots of A. adscendens, Roxb., A. sarmentosus, 

 Willd., and A. racemosus, Willd. The first is the Safed- 

 MUSLi of India, said to be demulcent and tonic, and used as a 

 substitute for Salep ; the second is the Zatar or Makki, and 

 is used in bilious dyspepsia ; while the third is known as 

 Satawar, and is used as a demulcent, as well as in 

 veterinary practice. 



On the bottom shelf is a parasol cover made in Ireland of 

 the fibre obtained from the Solomon's Seal {Polygonatum 

 multiftorum, All.). 



Table Cases. 

 TABLE Commencing at the end of the room farthest from the door, 

 CASE ^^ C^se will be found to contain illustrations of (No. 35) 

 p^ New Zealand Hemp or Flax {Phormium tenax, Forst.). 

 The fibre is contained in abundance in the long sword-like 

 leaves. Various attempts have been made to extract the fibre 

 and clean it in a profitable manner for textile purposes, but 

 hitherto the fibre prepared by European machinery has not 

 equalled the native dressed fibre of the Maories, consequently it 

 has not become used with us as a textile, though for rope and 

 cordage it is a valuable material. The following illustrations 

 of New Zealand hemp are here shown : fibre as imported 

 in 1854, and known as " Maori flax," and fibre as imported at 

 the present time — cleaned fibre, machine dressed fibre, fibre 

 from plants grown in St. Helena, native dressed fibre in 

 difl^erent stages of preparation ; baskets made of split leaves, 

 and sandals made of fibre. On the other side of the Table 

 Case is shown also samples of fibre of native preparation, 

 as well as fishing lines, and fabrics as sheeting and towelling of 

 u mixture of New Zealand hemp and ordinary flax, made in 

 English looms. 



[In Case 16 in Room No. 2, or passage from entrance 

 •door, some mats, and cloaks of native New Zealand work- 

 manship are exhibited. They are made of New Zealand hemp, 

 and one garment is ornamented with the rolled leaves partially 

 broken through and beaten out at the ends.] 



