DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 83 



the so-called ' vegetable silks/ but possesses besides a remarkable degree of strength. 

 Moreover, the hairs are very easily separated from the seeds. The dimensions of the 

 fibers are, 1.181 to 1.771 inches long, and 0.001287 to 0.00195 inch in diameter." (Spon.) 

 A fiber is also prepared from the young twigs. ( Watt.) 



Bedanjir (Pers.). See Ricinus communis. 



Bedolee sutta (Ind.). See Pcederia. 



Bejuco, or Bejuco de Cadena (S. Am.). See Bauhinia splendens. 



Beligobel (Ceyl.). Hibiscus tiliaceus. 



Belli patta (Bomb, and Ceyl.). See Hibiscus tiliaceus. 



Bene. Andropogon squarrosus. 



Bengi (Panj.). Cannabis sativa. 



Bent grass (see Ammophila arenaria). 



Bermuda palm. Sabal blacMurnianum. 



Bertholletia excelsa. Brazil Nut Tree. 



Exogen. LecytMdacew. Tree, 100 to 150 feet. 



Native of British Guiana, Venezuela, and Brazil. The fruit is the well-known 

 Brazil nut. The tree is one of the most majestic in the South American forests, 

 attaining a height of 100 or 150 feet, with a smooth cylindrical trunk, about 3 or 4 

 feet in diameter, and seldom having any branches till near the top. (A. Smith.) 



Fiber. — Samples of the bark of this tree were exhibited at the Pbiladelphia Exhibi- 

 tion with the fiber produced from it. "Used as a substitute for oakum for calking 

 vessels" (De Gama). 



Betel-nut palm (see Areca). 



Betina-da (Ind.). The fiber. See Melochia arbor ea. 



Betula bhojpattra. Indian Paper Birch. 



Exogen. Betulacecc. A tree. 



An Indian species, found in the higher ranges of the Himalayas, in India. " The 

 bark is well known as the material upon' which the ancient Sanskrit manuscripts of 

 northern India are written." 



Fiber. — The bark, in sheets, used as a substitute for paper. " The young branches 

 are plaited into twig bridges" ( Watt). It is also used as wrapping paper and in 

 the manufacture of the flexible pipe stems used by hookah smokers. Has been used 

 for umbrellas and for clothing by Hindu pilgrims in Kashmir. 



Betula papyrifera. Paper Birch. Canoe Birch. 



North America. Northwestern and northeastern in United States ; northward in 

 British America. It reaches a higher latitude than most other North American trees ; 

 grows to a height of 60 feet. u The wood is extensively employed in the manufac- 

 ture of spools, shoe lasts, and all kinds of turnery ; lately much employed for paper 

 pulp " (B. E. Fernoiv). 



The thick bark of this tree, which can be readily removed from a long clean trunk 

 in spring, is the one employed by the Indians for making their bark canoes. The 

 bark is also used in the manufacture of small ornaments, such as napkin rings, bas- 

 kets, pincushions, etc. (Cr. B. Sudworth.) 



Bhabur grass (see Ischcemum). 

 Bhanga (Sanscrit). Cannabis sativa. 



