rpose o 
-is greatly indebted to Sir Robert Hart for the copy of it comm 
259 
different fibres bearing the same name, and the same product often bears 
different names at different ports. The fault is probably due to the 
fact that European traders have used the terms jute and hemp ina 
generic sense rather than a specific one. There is probably also a 
fiscal element concerned, as the diy on “jute” is only “2 mace per 
picul,” whereas “ hemps” pay 3} mace. An in ate made by Kew less 
than a year ago in regard to the origin of Chinese jute, as quoted in 
the London trade lists, has brought out very forcibly the confusion 
which exists in regard to the origin and classification of commercial 
fibres at Chinese ports. 
It has been shown that a ag ate pth in all respects with 
Indian jute, and rae by the e plant, Coz ve Us OES das 
is grown and prepared in the PE TES of the Wên 
while the so-called jute of Northern China is obiained from an entirely 
different plant which has been lately identified, fro warded 
Acting Consul at Chefoo, ir. ie exander = a as 
Abutilon Avicenna, Gertn. In regard to the application the term 
hemp, this appears to be still more widely and loosely used. It is 
applied, in its eae sense, to the common or aian ees grown in 
Northern oe he produce of Cannabis sativa, It also 
indifferent] et and applied to the China grass or Rhea. fibre 
esish iq Rea k.) of Kiukiang ; to the fibre Hete from the 
bark of young trees of tere ulia platanifolia, L., at , and to the 
ye 
aa fibre (Ananas sativus, Baker) of Kua kow, Hainan, and 
The application of such well-established terms as jute and hemp to 
fibres so different in character and origin must lead to much confusion 
and tend to retard the Jevelopristit ú of trade. One of the most interest- 
ing of Chinese fibres is that derived from the Ko plant, a trailing vine 
identical with Pueraria thumbergiana, Benth. This fibre, known 
locally as Ko-pou, has also passed under the name of hemp, although 
the quantity produced is apparently very 8 mall. An account of this Ko 
plant is given in the Enumeration of Chinese Plants, Journ. Linn. 
Soc., vol. xxii 
iD, I9. 
To return to the subject of jute. — and Sere ti of Chinese 
ste from South Manchuria received a t Bae in 1 79 through Nr, 
Noithern in is may ore correctly salted Abutilon 
emp. Another set of specimens, illustrative of the pine-apple fibre 
(also called hemp) has been received from Mr. E. H. Parker, Her 
Majesty’s Consul at Kiungchow in Southern China. 
The detailed information so far obtained respecting the distribution 
and origin of Chinese jutes and hemps, is given i e following cor- 
respondence. It is de sirable to place this Gaformation on record as a 
~ y 
Inspector-General of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs. 
interesting memorandum prepared by Dr. Henry, F.LS., is of ancl 
value for the pu of aiding in such an inquiry, and this mmunicated 
8395 
