DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 217 



it yields a fiber of good quality," though the'present sample would hardly verify the 

 statement. It might, however, he used in paper making, though at best it is a poor 

 "fiber." 



At the same time an example of L. elatius was received, both specimens having 

 been prepared by Dr. Guilfoyle. This is a much better and stronger fiber than 

 the preceding, and would prove useful for making many kinds of coarse cordage. 

 The leaves and flower stalks of the plant grow to a height of 9 feet in Victoria, and 

 the plant is found in great abundance, and can be had iu large quantities. It fur- 

 nishes a pulp for paper making, and is used in various" ways by the natives. This 

 specimen is also from the Victorian collection (Phil. Int. Exh., 1876), and was pre- 

 pared by Dr. Guilfoyle. Christy says it is an excellent paper plant. It yields its 

 fiber by boiling. 



Lepidosperma gladiatum. Coast Sword Rush. 



Native of Australia and Tasmania, where it grows in great abundance on the coast 

 lands. Will supply an annual crop, the roots throwing out fresh shoots. Spon says 

 it is used by the natives for baskets and fishing lines, and suggests that its only 

 industrial use will probably be paper making, "for which purpose it is considered 

 equal to esparto." 



L. squamatum is another Australian species, used for mats by the natives of the 

 Wimmera. southeast Australia. L. filiforme is also employed by these people for 

 basket manufacture. 



Lepironia mucronata. 



A cyperaceous plant found in Madagascar, tropical Asia, and Polynesia. One of 

 the mat fibers of China. Such mats are made by the Chinese boatmen to cover their 

 cargoes ; also used for bags. A mat of fine workmanship, probably from this species, 

 is preserved in the Kew Mus., made in Korea; obtained from the King's palace. 



* Sxjec'imens. — U. S. Nat. Mus.; Bot. Mus. Harv. Univ. 



Leptadenia spartum. 



Exogen. Asclejriadacecu. A glabrous shrub. 



Panjrib and Sind, in India. Arabia, Egypt, and Senegambia. An imported fodder 

 plant, also used for thatching. The species are "erect leafless shrubs or twiners 

 furnished with leaves, all having a grayish tomentum covering stems and leaves." 

 (Treas. Botany.) 



Bast Fiber. — Mentioned in Die. Ec. Prod. Iud. ; Vol. IV, as "much used in Sind for 

 making ropes to bring up water from wells, as water does not rot it." 



Liabum ignarium. 



An exogenous plant, a native of Quito, which Spon states has afforded a good 

 fiber. (Spon Enc, pt. 3, p. 919.) 



Liane a cordes (Fr.). Bignonia viminalis. 



Ligustrum vulgar e. Privet. 



Of this genus there are about twenty representatives, in Europe, northern India, 

 China, and Japan. Belongs to the Oleacece. 



"A shrub used for hedges. In March it produces white, fragrant blossoms, similar 

 to those of the olive. The leaves produce a yellow or green tint for dyeing. The 

 branches are used for constructing cages for birds where fowlers set their traps." 



Lime tree of Europe. Tilia europwa-, of South America, 



Apeiba tibourbou. 



Lin (Fr.). Flax. See Linum. 



Linden (see Tilia). 



