280 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



sheaths of the leafstalks. Found in British Guiana and a second species, E.mada- 

 gaseariensis, in Madagascar, the gigantic leaves being used by the natives of both 

 countries as a thatch material. ''The blades of the leaves are oblong in form and are 

 larger in size than those of any known plant except the Victoria regia." (Dr. Masters.) 



Rawaye (W. Afr.). Cochlospermum tinctorium. 

 Razor strop, fibrous. 



In Florida and the West Indies a very serviceable razor strop is made from the 

 soft inner part of the flower stalks of "poling" species of Agave. They are about 

 15 inches in length and 1J inches square, one end being made round for a handle. 

 See also Fames fomentarius. 



* Specimen. — Mus. U. S. Dep. Ag., from Agave sisalana. 



Red mulberry. Morns rubra. 



Red silk cotton. Bombax malabaricum. 



Reed mace. Typlia an gusti folia. 



Reed, Scriptural (see Arundo donax). 



Retama (Peru). Spartium junceum. 



Rhea (Ind.). See Boelimeria tenacissima. 



Rhus trilobata. Aromatic Sumac, or Squaw Berry. 



Exogen. Anacardiacece. A shrub, 5 to 8 feet. 



Native Indian name. — Hopi or Moqui, CUM; from Ciikii, puugent, alluding to 

 its acid berries, which are called sivwipsi; a syncopated form of CUbisiadta; 

 CUM, its seeds. (Feivkes.) 



Found in the Rocky Mountains, at least as far north as Colorado, in California, 

 and southward to Mexico. "The dry shrub is one of the four prescribed fuels for 

 the kivas. The buds are regarded as medicinal, and the seeds are eagerly eaten by 

 young people. Its twigs are used for many ceremonial purposes, and also for coarse 

 basketry.-' (Fetches.) 



In Utah, Arizona, southern California, and New Mexico the Indians depend solely 

 upon this plant for material out of which to make their baskets. It is far more 

 durable and tougher than the willow, which is not used by these Indians. The mode 

 of preparation is as follows: The twigs are soaked in water to soften them, and to 

 loosen the bark, which is scraped off by the females. The twigs are theu split by 

 the use of the mouth and both hands. Their baskets are built up by a succession 

 of small rolls of grass stems over which these twigs are firmly and closely bound. 

 A bone awl is used to make the holes under the rims of grass for the split twigs. 

 Baskets thus made are very durable, will hold water, and are often used to cook in, 

 hot stones being dropped in from time to time until the food is done. (Dr. E. Palmer, 

 Am. Nat. 1878.) 



Ribbonwood (of Otago) (Xew Zea.). See Roheria. 



Rice. 



Chinese paper (see Fatsia papyrifera); straw, for straw plait ^see 



Oryza); wild (see Zizania aqnatica). 



Ricinus communis. Castor Oil Plant. 



Common names, — Talma Christi, Huile <i< Castor (the oil) (Ft.); Kiki (Egypt ■> ; 

 P'i-ma (China); Endaru (Ceyl.); Kyeksu (Burin.); Khirvd (Arab.); Bedanjir 



(Pers.), and many others. 

 Supposed to be a native of Africa, from whence the plant was introduced into 



