DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 119 



Surface Fiber. — "The base of tlie leafstalks is densely covered with a soft and 

 glossy yellowish wool, used for stuffing mattresses and pillows, and which, under 

 the name of pulu, forms a regular article of export to California from Hawaii. The 

 wool of C. barometz, from tropical Asia, and of Dicksonia culcita, from the Atlantic 

 islands, serves for similar purposes and has also found a limited employment in 

 surgery for stanching bleeding from ulcers or wounds. The hairs consist of a single 

 series of flat thin-walled cells which break readily at the joints, the cells being 

 shortest in C. chamissoi and longest in C. menziesii. C. glaucum is a rare species, 

 though found in most of the Hawaiian Islands. The pulu, as to gloss and curl, is 

 intermediate between menziesii and chamissoi. (Hillebrand.) 



Spon mentions C. barometz, but ignores the other species, or confounds the four as 

 one, stating that each plant yields about 2 to 3 ounces of the fiber, which occupies about 

 four years in production. The gathering is a very slow and tedious operation. 

 When picked the fiber is wet, and has to be laid out on the rocks or on mats to dry. 

 In favorable weather this may be effected in a day or two ; but in the habitat of the 

 plant rains prevail, so that the fiber is often brought in a wet state to market, even 

 after several weeks' " drying." "The application of the fiber is as a substitute for 

 feathers and horsehair for stuffing purposes. The exports from Honolulu in 1878 

 were 212,740 pounds, of which Australia and New Zealand took 181,070 pounds and 

 the Pacific ports of the United States 31,670 pounds." (Spon.) 



C. menziesii produces the best fiber. On Hawaii this species, with chamissoi and 

 glaucum, formed extensive thickets, which have, however, been nearly cleared away 

 by the pulu gatherers, who sacrifice whole trees to get at the fiber without difficulty. 

 The fallen trunks send out lateral shoots, but full-grown trees are now rare. Native 

 names, Hapui Hi and He'd. The "golden moss" of the Chinese is produced by 

 C. chamissoi, glaucum, and Dicksonia culcita. In Salvador and Costa Rica the natives 

 make use of the vegetable wool of a species of Cibotium, common to all Central 

 America. 



Cigarette bast (see Lecythis ollaria). 



Cipo imbe of Rernardm (Braz.). See PMlodendron. 



Cipo means a tropical climber, though sometimes root; frequently used. 



Civil (Mex.). See Malvaviscus. 

 Clematis dioica. Traveler's Joy. 



Exogen. Eanunculacece. Climber. 

 "Native of West Indies and tropicaLAinerica. This Jamaican clematis is a climber 

 with ternate leaves, greenish-white flowers, and the numerous seed vessels termi- 

 nating in a long, feathery tail. A decoction of the root in sea water mixed with 

 wine is said to act as a powerful purge in hydropic cases. Stems used as withes for 

 tying." (Faivcett.) 



Clematis triloba. 



India, mountains of the Deccan and West Konkan. Watt recognizes seven species 

 of Clematis in the Die. Ec. Prod, of Ind. Under this species he says: "The above 

 species of Clematis yield fibers which are regularly used for agricultural purposes, 

 and although authors allude to the medicinal properties of only one or two species, 

 they are all more or less used by the natives of the hill districts." 



Clinogyne dichotoma (see Maranta). 



Coast Sword Rush (Austr.). Lepidosperma gladiatum. 



Cochlospermum gossypium. White Silk Cotton Tree. 



Exogen. Bixacece. A small tree. 

 This genus is represented in tropical India, Africa, America, and northei-n Aus- 

 tralia. C. gossypium is an Indian species, yielding gum. oil, fiber, and medicine. 



