DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



63 



prepared specimens are creamy white and remarkably fine and soft; will rank with 

 Asclepias for strength, and is readily obtained, as the stems are long, straight, 

 smooth, and slender. Although paper has not been made of it, it could doubtless 

 be utilized for the purpose. It is principally employed by the North American 

 Indians, who manufacture from it in rude fashion bags, mats, small ornamental 

 baskets, belts, twine, and other cordage, fishing lines, and nets. Among fine speci- 

 mens received is a fish line, such as is used by the Pai Utes at the Walker River 

 Reservation in Nevada. 



^i^ 



Fig. 20. — The Indian hemp plant, Apocynum cannabinum. 



The plant belongs to the Dogbane family, having upright branching stems 4 or 5 

 feet in length with opposite leaves, and a tough, reddish bark. Spon mentions the 

 species, but gives it the common name " Colorado hemp," which does not apply to 

 this species, but to Sesbania macrocarpa. He states that " it yields a fine, white, 

 strong fiber." The naturally prepared fiber of the specimens of A. cannabinum that 

 have come under the notice of the author are always a dark cinnamon color and 

 not white, and it is probable that the two species have been confounded. (Fig. 20.) 



