378 USES OF PLANTS BY THE CHIPPEWA INDIANS  [erH. Ann. 44 
List oF PLANTS IN USEFUL AND DecorATIVE Arts—Continued 
Botanical name Common name Use 
Phragmites communis Trin__| Reed_--.--------- Woven frames for drying 
berries. 
Pintisisp- ee 2 she oe 4 WPin@ eta ees General utility. 
Pinus resinosa Ait_.-...____| Red pine---_--__- General utility and toys. 
Quercus’ spe eee ee On eee eee eee ee ANS Re LCs 
Salix :s phi Torney Feress. 2 - 2) BWillow 235 22. ek Smoking and general utility. 
Sarracenia purpurea L_-____- Pitcher plant_____ Toys. 
Scirpus validus Vahl_-_-_-__- Bul shee ee Mats and toys. 
Sphapnn es nee Moss.____.-----.__-|- Absorbent. 
iligramericanavie === Basswood__________; Twine and general utility. 
Torresia odorata (L.) Hitche_| Sweet grass______- | Ceremonial, economie and 
pleasurable. 
Typha latifolia L_-=--=----— Catalase Mats, baskets, ete. 
Ulmus fulva Michx____-____| Slippery elm_-__-__- General utility. 
Urticastrum divaricatum (L.) | False nettle_______ Twine. 
Kuntze. 
Grass] ee eToys: 
Manner or Usr 
Twine was one of the most important articles in the economic life 
of the Chippewa. It was made chiefly from the inner bark (fiber) 
of the basswood, though slippery elm bark was also used for this 
purpose. The twine was used in the weaving of mats and the 
tying of large and small packets. For some purposes the fiber was 
used without twisting, the width of the fiber depending on the 
strength required; thus a strip of fiber as soft and fine as cotton 
string could be obtained, or a heavy fiber that would hold a consider- 
able weight. The fiber was boiled to give additional toughness if this 
was especially desired. In preparing the fiber it was customary to 
cut the bark from the basswood tree in long strips, put it in the 
water at the edge of a lake, among the rushes, for a few days, after 
which the soft inner bark could be separated from the outer bark. 
(PI. 47.) The fiber thus obtained was separated into strips less than 
an inch wide and stored in large coils until needed. The twisting of 
the fiber into twine could be done at any time. Twine was also made 
from the dry stalks of the false nettle. This was used in sewing and, 
in two grades of fineness, was used in making fish nets. It is said 
that a cloth was once made of this fiber and used for women’s dresses. 
The thorns of the thorn-apple tree were gathered by the women 
and used as awls in their sewing. Awls were also made of oak. 
Bulrush mats for the floor were woven on frames, the basswood 
twine being passed “ over and under” the rushes. (Pl. 48, a.) Reeds 
