368 POOAH FIBRE. 
the fibre used for the finest purposes. If this should be proved 
to be the case on trial, it might no doubt be produced abun- 
dautly, and, with some improved process of separation, very 
cheaply, at easily accessible places on the Western Coast of the 
Indian Peninsula. 
Pooau Fisre, Boehmeria frutescens (Urticee). 
Dr. Campbell, Superintendent of Darjeeling, addressed a 
letter to the Agri-Hortic. Soc., forwarding a new description of 
Wild Hemp from Eastern Nipal and Sikkim, on behalf of 
Sergeant Crutcher, who used the fibre in his craft of sewing 
leather. 
“ Description of the Plant.—The plant from which the Hemp 
is made is called ‘ Pooah’ by the Parbuttias ; “ Kienki’ by the 
Lepchas; and ‘Yenki’ by the Limboos. It grows to the 
height of six or eight feet, and varies in the thickness of the 
stem from the size of a quill to that of the thumb. The leaf 
is serrated, of a dark green colour above, silvery white below, 
not hairy or stinging; and has a reddish pedicle of about three 
inches long. The secd forms in small currant-like clusters 
along the top of the plant, and on alternate sides about an 
inch apart. Two small leaves spring from the stem at the 
centre of and above each cluster of seed, 
“ Habitat.—The ‘ Pooah’ is not cultivated, but grows wild 
and abundantly in the valleys throughout the mountains of 
Eastern Nipal and Sikkim, at the foot of the Hills skirting 
the Tarai to the elevation of 1000 or 1200 feet ; and within 
the mountains up to 3000 feet. It is considered a hill plant, 
and not suited to the plains or found in them. It does not 
grow in the forest, but is chiefly found in open clear places, and 
in some situations overruns the abandoned fields of the Hill 
people within the elevations which suit it. It sheds its leaves 
in the winter, throws them out in April and May, and flowers 
and seeds in August and September. The exact period altering 
of necessity with the elevation. 
“ When used,—lIt is cut down for use when the seed is 
formed ; this is the case with the common Flax, in Europe. 
At this time the bark is most casily removed and the produce 
