230 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



other species, are well known for their stinging qualities. 



Urtica urens^ an Indian plant being of dreadful renown ; it, 

 however, has its equal in two species natives of Australia. 



ZT. morioides, a small tree or bush with mulberry-like leaves, 

 and U. gigas a tree of New South Wales, which attains the 

 height of from 70 to 80 feet, often being swollen at the base 

 forming buttresses many feet in diameter. It has large heart- 

 shaped leaves, the effects of which (when touched) are not 

 easily forgotten, cattle coming in contact with them becom- 

 ing furious. The wood of the latter is porous and even lighter 

 than cork. U. photinifolia is a large much-branched tree, 

 native of Moreton Bay, having elliptical shining leaves, with 

 scattered irritant prickles. The three species were intro- 

 duced to Kew about forty years ago. 



Grass Cloth {Boehmeria nivea). A perennial plant, native 

 of China, It sends up numerous rod-like stems, 4 to 6 feet 

 high, having heart-shaped leaves, silvery white on the 

 under surface. It has fine fibre, which is now imported in 

 considerable quantity from China and India, and woven into 

 the fine linen-like cloth known as " China Grass Cloth." It 

 is now extensively cultivated in the Southern United States, 

 and the British Government have lately become inte- 

 rested in its cultivation in the colonies favourable to its 

 growth. There is, however, some difficulty in separating 

 the fibre from the bark and wood, which has led the 

 Government of India to offer a reward of 5000Z. for the best 

 mode of overcoming the above difficulty. 



It grows freely in this country, but in severe winters is 

 liable to be injured ; but it might be profitably cultivated in 

 Cornwall and the western counties. The fibre called Ehea 

 is supposed to be the produce of this or a closely allied 

 species. 



Puya Fibre {Boehmeria Puyd), is a plant similar to the 

 preceding in habit of growth, but has longer leaves. It is 

 extensively cultivated in Upper India ; the fibre is used for 

 making ropes and sailcloths. 



Con tray erva Root (jDorstenia Contrayerva), A frutlet 



