I lO 



Marvels of the Universe 



"In order to bleach it, after being drawn out as much as it will bear, they expose it (stretclied) 

 to the sunshine, and sprinkle it frequently with water. It bears washing extremely well, with 

 common soap, and acquires a degree of whiteness equal to that of the best manufactured lace. The 

 wild negroes have made apparel with it of a very durable nature, but the common use to which it 

 is applied is rope-making. The Spaniards are said to have worked it into very strong ropes ; and 



the Indians employ it 

 in a variety of different 

 fabrics. 



" Sloane relates that 

 Charles II. had a cravat 

 made of the bark of this 

 tree, which was presented 

 to him by Sir Thomas 

 Lynch. 



"In the days of 

 slavery the negro-whips 

 were commonly made of 

 the branches of this tree. 

 A. portion of a branch was 

 taken, and the wood was 

 removed from the part 

 that was intended for the 

 lash. The remaining por- 

 tion of the branch formed 

 the handle. If it was 

 desired to ornament the 

 handle, a portion of the 

 bark at the end remote 

 from the lash was un- 

 ravelled until it formed a 

 tassel of spreading layers 

 of lace." 



In the " Hortus Kew- 

 ensis," second edition, it 

 is stated that " when Mr. 

 Wilson, the curator, sent 

 us the young plants, he 

 informed us that it is in- 

 variably found growing in 

 very dry situations on 

 marly limestone hills, 

 where there is not a par- 

 ticle of earth to be seen. 

 The young plants grow in 

 the crevices of the rocks, and in order to obtain them with roots, a hammer or large stone is required 

 to break away the porous limestone." He further adds, " that the soil for growing them in should be 

 composed of one-third marl or hme-rubbish, for I am persuaded that pure loam wiU kill the plants." 

 Mr. John Smith, who collaborated with Sir W. Hooker in the production of The Botanical 

 Magazine, enhghtens us as to the methods adopted at Kew Gardens for the care of these 



Photo ty] IE. J. Wallis. 



THE L.ACE-BARK. TREE. 



A photograph of a young tree growing in Kew Gardens. The tree grows on dry soils 

 in Jamaica, and the layers of lace are found on removing the rough outer bark. 



