206 



USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



The rush matting of Spain is made from J. maritimus, and the same species is em- 

 ployed for this purpose in Morocco. Savorgnan mentions three species: J. acutus, 

 growing along the seaeoasts of Europe; ,/. canarierisis, used in brush and hroom 

 manufacture; and J. conglomerates, employed for wicks of candle-. See fig, 72. 



The two latter, however, are now regarded as identical with J. effuaus. 



Juncus acutus. Basket Rush. 



A basket and mat rush of Italy. Specimens of this rush, in the form of basket 

 material, has heen received by the Department from California, used in the Bnscolo 

 or Bruscolo l.askets said to he imported from Italy. The word Kuscolo or Bruscolo, 

 means, in Italian, "a slip of straw." These haskets are used chicly as receptacles 



Fig. 70.— Juncus acutus. 



Fig. 71.— The Japanese mat 

 rush, Juncus effiusus. 



for crushed olive pulp, which is then placed under the press. The word Giunco 

 means not only the species of Juncus, but is applied to similar sedge-like forms such 

 as the Cyperace<r generally. Mats, coverings of bottles, baskets, etc, are enumerated 

 amongthe manufactures from these sedges. Lygeum sparturh and Alfa, or Stipa i< nacis- 

 sima, are also used in basket manufacture, the former being made into all kinds of 

 baskets, which are exported from Italy to the United states, and many other countries. 



Juncus effusus. Bingo i Mat Rush of Japan. 



Syn. ,f mi rus communis. 



Endogen. ■fmicacew. A rush, 4 to 5 feet when under cultivation. | See fig. 71.) 

 This species is distributed over a large part of the globe, being tin- candle rush of 

 Europe, and a very common plant of wet ground in the United States 



