212 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



KLuda (Ind.). See HymenoMetyon. 



Kuhila (Ind.). See JSschynomene. 



Kukul-wel (Geyl.). See Calamus radiatus. 



Kumbi, Kumbya, Kumbha, etc., (Ind.). Gareya arborea. 



The uame Kumbi is also employed for Cochlospcrmum yossypium in several pro 

 inces of India, in connection with others. 



Kurakkan (Ind.). Ulcus ine coracana. 



Kurrijong (N. S. W.). Commersonia fraseri. 



Kurtam ussul (Arab.). Grossypium. 



Kuta (Fiji Is.). JEleocharis interstincta. 



Kutan, or tukhme-katan (Pers.). Linum usitatissimum. 



Kydia calycina. 



Exogen. Malvacew. Bush or small tree. 



Subtropical India and Burma. The Himalayas up to 2,000 feet elevation. 



Fiber. — "The inner hark yields a hast fiber, used for coarse ropes, etc. In point 

 of cellulose, and in power of resistance to hydrolysis, Kydia fiber is fairly useful, 

 being about twentieth in order of merit of a list of some 300 fibers met within India." 

 ( Watt.) The fiber, known as Warang bast, resembles the bast of tbe European lime 

 tree, Tilla europcea. Savorgnan states that the bark, used in strips, can be applied 

 to all purposes for which Tilia americana is employed. 



Kyllinga elatior. 



xV cyperaceous plant found in Natal. There are nearly 50 species in the genus, 

 natives of Brazil, South Africa, and Australia. 



Structural Fiber. — Like all plants of this group the culms are employed in mat 

 making. The mats of Natal, from this species, are called Jsitebe. 



Lace. See Appendix 0. 



Lace bark, of W. Ind., Lagetta lintearia; of New Zea., Plagi- 



antlius betulinus. See also Daphnopsis. 



Lagetta lintearia. Lace Bark Tree. 



Exogen. TJiymeJaacecv. A tree, 25 to 30 feet. 



This is the well-known lace-bark tree of Jamaica, the bark of which is found in 

 all fiber collections. The plant is said to be cultivated in Great Britain, in green- 

 houses, though only as a curiosity. 



Fiber. — Derived from the inner bark, which can be readily detached in sheets or 

 layers, like the layers of bark from the paper birch. It is suited to the most deli- 

 cate textile purposes. " "When carefully drawn out or stretched by tbe hands a 

 pentagonal and hexagonal mesh is formed, in every respect like lace, and many 

 ornamental things are made from it." (Fatvcett.) 



" It is reported that Charles II received as a present from the governor of Jamaica, 

 a cravat, frill, and pair of ruffles, made of this material ; and to this day it is used 

 for bonnets, collars, and other articles of apparel, specimens of which may be seen 

 at tbe Kew Mus., etc. The uses to which this natural lace is applied are not always 

 so unobjectionable as those just mentioned, for it is likewise used in the manufacture 

 of thongs and whips, with which, in former times at least, the negroes were beaten 

 by their cruel taskmasters." (Dr. Masters.) 



Savorgnan names L. funifera, now Funifera utilis as a South American species 

 known as Mahot-pincet. This author states that cordage of great resistance is made 

 from the bark. 



