92 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



The fniit of the various species of Bombax is a woody capsule with divisions con- 

 taining numerous seeds, each seed surrounded by a mass of silky hairs, which, when 

 collected after the opening of the pod, produce the "silk cotton. "' 



Surface Fiber. — The silk-like down, or seed hairs, described above and known 

 as Simal cotton may be used as upholstery material, for stuffing pillows, etc. 

 The "cotton" is similar, though inferior, to the kapok of commerce derived from 

 Eriodendron anfraetuosum, which see. 



Fiber too short and soft to be spun. The smoothness of the cotton prevents cohe- 

 sion or felting, and hence in the textile industries could only be used to mix with 

 others, imparting a silky gloss to the fabric. It has also been talked of as a paper 

 fiber. The inner bark of the tree yields a good fiber suitable for cordage. ( Watt.) 



* Specimens. — Herb. Col. Univ., X. Y. ; Bast fiber, Bot. Mus. Harv. Univ. 



Bombaz mungaba. Silk Cotton of Brazil. 



A tree, 80 to 100 feet, common along the banks of the Amazon and Rio Negro. Its 

 fruit is about 8 inches long by 4 wide, and of a clear brick color. The silk cotton 

 surrounding the seeds is light brown in color. It has found limited use as a material 

 for stuffing cushions. In a catalogue of the products of Brazilian forests, by Jose 

 Saldanha da Garna (Phil. Int. Exh., 1876), it is stated that this tree furnishes in its 

 bark fibrous material for coarse rope, as well as vegetable silk in its pods. He also 

 mentions Eriodendron samanma as "the largest tree of the Amazon, the fruit con- 

 taining a silk much sought for mattresses." 



A species of Bombax silk-cotton was received from the Venezuelan Department, 

 "W. C. E., 1893, named Sibucara wool, and another example was labeled "Lima del 

 Tambor, the silky wool which envelops the seeds of Bombax cumanense. It can not 

 be spun, but is used for making pillows." {Ernst.) 



Bombax pubescens. The E^iBiRA-GTJASstJ. 



This is also called the Embir-ussii in Brazil. It is found in the province of Minas 

 Geraes, and attains a height of 25 to 30 feet. 



Bast Fiber. — This species has a tough, fibrous bark, which yields quite a strong 

 fiber, resembling jute in color, and very useful for making ropes and cordage. A 

 surface fiber is also obtained from its seed capsules, much employed in Sao Paulo for 

 filling bolsters and mattresses. The tree is found in secluded places and blossoms in 

 the winter. 



Liifgren mentions another species (B. gracilipes), which is found in brambly locali- 

 ties along the river banks, and which also supplies fiber. 



Bombay Aloe (see Agave vivipara). 



Bombonaje (S. Am.). See Carludovica paJmata. 



Booba Palm (Braz.). See Iriartea exorrliiza. 



Borassus flabellifer. Palmyra Palm. 



Endogen. Pal ma. Tall palm. 



Native names. — Tal, Tari, etc. (Hind.); Tal-gas (Ceyl.) ; Tan. htan, (Burm.), 

 and others. In west Africa known as the Black Run Palm. 

 Found in Ceylon and the Indian Archipelago ; throughout tropical India, in Bengal, 

 and Northwest Provinces. Cultivated in Ceylon. Also found in tropical west Africa. 

 Structural Fiber. — This is obtained from the base of the petioles, or the sheath- 

 ing leafstalks. It is stiff, harsh, wiry, and resembles the bass and piassaba fibers of 

 commerce, particularly the Brazilian forms. A trade name is bassine. 



It came into notice as a commercial article in 1891, when the high prices of pias- 

 saba induced the introduction of substitutes. At that time even split rattan, stained 

 black, was requisitioned as a brush fiber. Palmyra liber has steadily increased in 

 quantity, and, contrary to what was at first anticipated, it has also risen in value. 



