DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 189 



Hana (Ceyl.). Yucca gloriosa. 



Hana-mushiro matting (Jap.). See Cyperus unitans. 



Hanf (Ger.). Cannabis saliva. 



Hapu-Ili (Hawaii). See Cibotium. 



Harakeke. No. 2, common var. New Zealand flax. See Phormium 

 tenax. 



Hardwickia binata. 



Exogen. Leguminosw. A tree, 100 feet. 

 South and central India. A forest tree related to the Copaiva halsam trees of 

 South America. It is recorded by Dr. George Watt as a strong cordage fiber and 

 nsed without any special preparation by the natives where it abounds. Also used 

 for paper. "A valuable fiber for cordage purposes" (Spon). 



Hatiraukawa. New Zealand flax. Phormium tenax. 



Hechima (Jap.). Sponge encumber. See Puff a. 



Heii (Hawaii). Cibotium menziesii. 



Helianthus animus. The Sunflower. 



Exogen. Compositoe. Tall-growing herb. 



Said to be a native of Mexico and Peru. Introduced into Europe about the end of 

 the sixteenth century. Cultivated in America, Europe, and in India. 



Fiber. — It has frequently been the subject of experiment in this country as a 

 fiber-producing plant, though I have seen no samples of its fiber that would pay for 

 the preparation, or that would serve any useful end when prepared, unless for paper 

 stock, and there are many American plants better adapted for this purpose. Never- 

 theless, Spon states that the plant would repay culture for the fiber yielded from its 

 stems. About 6 pounds of seed are required for an acre. In a note from Dr. Havard 

 it is stated that the strong fiber in the stem forms a useful material for the manufac- 

 ture of rough wrapping paper. There is no longer any doubt about the plant being 

 a native of the United States. 



H. tuberosus, the Jerusalem artichoke, is said by Balfour to yield fiber in its stems. 



Heliconia bihai. Balizier. 



The species of this genus of Musacece inhabit tropical America. A specimen of the 

 fiber was sent to the Department from Trinidad in 1891, by Mr. St. Hill, who gives 

 the following facts concerning it: 



A wild plant which grows on cool soil, and its presence indicates superior land. 

 The process of curing or obtaining the fiber is the same as that for the plantain or 

 banana. The blades, which resemble the blades of the plantain, produce the fiber, 

 but the blades grow from the roots of the bush like a pineapple, and they are 6 to 10 

 feet long. One acre will produce about 10,-000 blades, and each blade will produce 

 half an ounce of fiber. It is a coarse fiber, not so strong as the other fibers men- 

 tioned, but would be good for door mats and similar purposes. It may be reaped 

 annually after three years. Not produced commercially. 



Heliocarpus americanus. 



Exogen. Tiliacece. A tree. 

 The representatives of the genus are confined to Mexico, Central America, and 

 Colombia. 

 Fiber. — Specimens of a number of these tree basts were examined by me in the 



Two fibers bearing the names of Jonote and Jolocin 



