50 
XIX.—_CANADA NETTLE FIBRE. 
(Laportea canadensis, Gaudich.) 
[K. B., 1897, p. 430.] 
A nettle-looking plant was received last year from the Jardin 
PAcsmatation at i under the ana of Behmeria candicans. 
was said to afford fibre superior in quality to China-grass (Behmeria 
nivea), or rhea or ramie (B. tenacissima), anit its caltivation has been 
recommended in Southern France, Algiers, Egypt, &c. ARN Gad 
the plant on arrival at Kew was in excellent pes and in flower 
Upon examination it was found to be not a species of Behmeria, but a 
well-known new-world species, Laportea annie, G i ng from 
Canada to Florida and Mexico, and westward to the Rocky Mountains. 
shn fibre yielded by this plant was at one time largely A latterly 
has been almost entirely forgotten. In Hooker’s Flora Boreali- 
cies Vol. II. (1840), p. 142, it is stated, “the fibr re of the stem 
“is copious and strong, and Mr. Whitlaw endeavoured to recommend 
“it to this country as an article of commerce.” Later, in 1865, the 
Abbé Provancher He to it in his Flore Canadienne, p. 516, under 
the name of Ortie du Canada, or Canada Nettle, and adds : —“Sa 
“culture a été tentée en Europe pour sa fibre, mais ses avantages réels 
“sont encore doutes. 
It is well known that many members of the nettle order are capable 
of yielding fibre. Even the common English stinging nettle (Urtica 
toica) is a very ancient fibre plant, its inner bark affording a tough 
us suitable for many purposes, and used for cordage and coarse cloth. 
A lace parasol TE gs Bans from this fibre is in Museum I., 
Case 102. A series of prepared from the same plant, and 
panes apina: were Brought tb Kew by Mr. B. Gray, of Glenanne, 
land 
In the Descriptive Catalogue of Useful Fibre Plants of the W Sag 
by Mr. C. Richards Dodge, recently issued by the United State 
Poraka of Agriculture, the fol lowing note (p. 213) Pianis 
respecting Laportea canadensis :—“ The fibre of this species, before 
“the introduction of cotton, had an application more inne ie Bae at 
“ present in Europe, where, particularly in Germany ore 
northern countries, they ma nufactured the cloth called Mrs (Goria 
“ nesseltuch), or nettle cloth.” 
may, therefore, he safely assumed that the T nettle saint 
no special merit as a fibre plant compared with 
Further, as it possesses paii ea hairs, it is difficult to handie. 
XX.—URERA FIBRE. 
(Urera tenax, N. E. Br.) 
[K. B., 1888, pp. 84-85.] 
The fibres exhibited in the Natal Court at the late Colonial and 
Indjan iton attracted a good deal of attention. Unfortunately 
the labels had become misplaced in transit, and consequently the collec- 
tion did not offer such facilities as could be desired for detailed inves- 
tigation. It is now clearly established, however, that a fibre marked 
