ON THE ECONOMIC USES OF BAMBOOS. 



27? 



art, lie caused to take root, and to appear as a new variety of 

 bamboo — square." 



The smaller species of Bamboos are made into musical 

 instruments, fans, pipe-stems, and a hundred other toys and 

 fanciful trifles. If anybody wishes to see what wonders may be 

 accomplished with all the bamboos, he has but to visit the col- 

 lection presented by Mr. Holmes to the museum at Kew, where 

 his curiosity will be amply satisfied. There is also, in the 

 "Transactions of the Japan Society," a very interesting article, 

 beautifully illustrated, in which the same gentleman describes 

 the collection. 



I may perhaps be allowed here to call your attention to two 

 bamboos which are exhibited here to-day for the first time — 

 Phyllostachys fulva and Arundinaria metallica. The former is 

 a Japanese species which grows in Satsuma, in the Liukiu 

 Islands, in the Province of Awa, and in other places. The 

 native name ogon signifies yellow gold, and as the name aurea 

 was already appropriated, I took fulva, Virgil's epithet for 

 gold, as the nearest approach to it. I am always anxious, if 

 possible, to preserve something of the native nomenclature. 

 The yellow colour in the stems is said not to show before the 

 plant has attained maturity. (Fig. 64.) 



Arundinaria metallica is quite one of the best, if not the 

 best, of the dwarf species, in some respects resembling 

 Arundinaria Veitchii, but apparently even more vigorous, and 

 not sharing with it the defect of leaf edges which wither in 

 winter. It is found in the Kaneyama or mine mountains in the 

 province of Osumi ; hence it takes its native name Kancyama- 

 dake, which I, acting on the principle which I have just stated, 

 have translated Arundinaria metallica, from /ueVaWov, a mine. 

 It is also found in the Island of Yezo, on the Shakotan 

 Mountains, and is locally known as Shakotan-chiku. (Fig. 65.) 



I have every reason to believe that both these species will 

 prove hardy and valuable additions to our gardens. Arundinaria 

 metallica, I should observe, shows every sign of being even a 

 stronger runner, if that be possible, than Arundinaria Veitchii, 

 but both are great travellers and will make a famous under- 

 growth for game coverts. 



We have now to consider the Bamboo as breadwinner. That 

 we, in this uncertain climate, shall ever be able to grow Bamboos 



