2f)6 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



making it one of the most valuable grasses for binding the banks of rivers subject 

 to periodical floods. It is occasionally found along the coast in brackish marshes 

 and sometimes upon sandy soils, and possibly may be employed with advantage for 

 binding drifting sands or those liable to be shifted by high tides. The young shoots 

 are liked by cattle and the mature stems make the best of thatch. It is very widely 

 distributed throughout the temperate regions of both hemispheres, growing along 

 river banks, borders of lakes etc. (/*'. Lamson-Scribncr.) 



The revised name of this species is Phragmites phragmites. 



Fiber.— In Mexico, where the plant grows 20 to 25 feet high (near to water),, the 

 stems are used for various purposes by the natives, according to statements made by 

 Dr. E. Palmer, who says that they cut it to certain lengths and having split it, beat 

 it flat and then weave it in and out, making a large square mat, with which they 

 form the ends of their houses. They place it over the rafters before the tule thatch 

 is put on. It is also used to cover verandas, and as screens for doors. (See fig 90). 



The species is very common in Europe, where it is sometimes utilized in industrial 

 economy. It has been employed in Italy for the manufacture of grass whisks. 



* Specimens are shown in the U S. Nat. Mus. 



Phrynium dichotoma. Synonym of Clynogyne, see under Maranta. 



Phul shola (Beng\). See JEscliynomene. 



Phulahi (Ind.). Acacia modesta. 



Phytelephas macrocarpa. The Ivory Plant. 



A curious South American plant allied to the palms, which produces the vegetable 

 ivory nut of commerce. It is known in Peru as the Pulipuntu, and its leaves are 

 sometimes employed in the manufacture of articles of domestic economy, besides as 

 a thatch material for native huts. 



Piassaba and Piassava ; also written Piacaba. 



of Para (see Leopoldinia piassaba) ; of Bahia (see Attalea fun if era). 



(See also Dictyosperma fibrosum, Borassus flabellifer, Eaphia vinifera, etc., which are 

 piassaba-like fibers. Both piassaba and piassava are used in the economic literature 

 of the bass fibers. I prefer, however, the spelling of the specific name of the Para 

 form— pi assa ba. 



Picea canadensis. White Spruce. 



Exogen. Conifers. A tree, 50 to 150 feet. 



Common names. — White spruce, single spruce, skunk spruce, cat spruce, etc. 



This tree is found in low and rather wet soils, or borders of x>onds and swamps, 

 and is most common along the northern boundary of the United States; also New- 

 foundland, British Columbia, and Alaska. A valuable timber tree. 



Woody Fiber. — "The tough and flexible root was formerly made into rope and 

 twine by the Indians, and used to stitch together their birch-bark canoes." ( Dr. J". 

 Havard.) 



The Indians and woodmen in New Brunswick make use of spruce roots to tie up 

 small packages, moose calls, etc., and the Micmacs of Nova Scotia also make use 

 of the root for the same purpose. The root is used most commonly just as it comes 

 from the ground, and is then quite pliable and very tough; less often — and then 

 only when it is desired to make a somewhat long string — the root is pounded under 

 water between two stones, care being taken to bruise and mash the wood cclN with- 

 out breaking the bark. In this condition it is possible to knot and tie the roots with 

 nearly the same ease as thai of a fiber proper, and the roots retain considerable of 

 their original toughness. (Dr. Wirt Ta&rtn.) 



