214 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



tree is 25 to 50 feet. "The poisonous fluid secreted from the foliage is very power- 

 ful, particularly in the younger leaves, and their sting is exceedingly virulent, pro- 

 ducing great suffering." The tree is also indigenous in Queensland, and Dr. Gnilfoyle 

 sends specimens of fiher from Victoria. 



Bast Fiher. — The fiher is very strong and fine, and suitable for fishing lines, etc. 

 In New South Wales its fiber is made into cordage of considerable tenacity. The 

 specimens were accompanied by a dilly bag made by an Australian aboriginal. The 

 wood of this tree is soft and fibrous, and might be pulped up for fiber. It is claimed 

 that the best and strongest fiber is obtained from the bark of the roots. The fiber 

 is easily prepared and can be obtained in quantity. 



Larch (see Larix laricina). 



Lasiandra (see Tibouchina). 



Lardizabala biternata. 



Exogen. Berberidacea\ Twining shrubs. 



Resemble the Afcnispermacea', and are natives of the cooler regions of South 

 America and China. The species named is from Chile. 



Woody Fiber. — "The stems, of enormous length, in Chile are dried and used as 

 ropes. It would probably yield good, tough cordage fiber." (Spon.) 



Larix laricina. Larch. 



Syn. Larix americaiia. 



Exogen. Conifer cv,. A tree, 75 to 90 feet. 



Common names. — Tamarack, hackmatack, hacmac, swamp pine larch, red larch, 

 black larch; N. Y. Indian name, Ka-neli-tens. 

 "Northern Newfoundland, Labrador, Hudson Bay, northern shores of the Great 

 Bear Lake and valley of the McKenzie River, within the Arctic Circle. Through 

 Northern States to northern Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois, and central Missouri. 

 Found on moist uplands and intervales, or southward in cold, wet swamps." (C. S. 

 Sargent.) L T sed for &hip timber, railway ties, fence posts, telegraph poles, etc. 



Woody Fiber. — Dr. Havard states that the roots of this tree when split into long 

 threads are a valuable material with the Chippeways, who make use of it for sewing 

 the seams of their birch canoes. He also informs the writer that the roots of L. occi- 

 dentalis, a Pacific States species, are employed by the Indians of the Yukon River 

 for "basket kettles," which are woven very neatly, and ornamented Avith hair and 

 with dyed porcupine quills. L. griffithii is an India species. 



Lasiosiphon eriocephalus. 



A small tree of India belonging to the Thymelwacece, known as Xaha, the bark of 

 which has been recommended as a paper-making material. L. speciosus, found in the 

 Deccan (Ind.), aud which furnishes the Remeta bast, is the same as L. eriocephalus. 

 u The fibers are very strong and almost colorless." (Spon.) 



Latania aurea. 



This is a small genus of African palms growing to a height of 20 or 30 feet. L. aurea 

 is found in Mauritius, Avhere the leaves have been employed for brushes aud brooms. 



L. commersonii is found in the Mascarene Islands, where the leaves are employed 

 in the manufacture of hats. Its fruit is about the size of an apple and is eaten by 

 the negroes. 



Lavatera arborea. Tree Mallow. 



Exogen. 3falvacea\ Large shrub, 3 to 4 feet. 

 The species of this genus for the most part are found in Europe, western Asia, and 

 Australia. L. arborea is common in southwestern Europe, growing on the rocks on 



