21 
LACE BARK, 
Names. The ferns generally used are 
locally called Gold, Silver, Star, Stag, Tongue, 
River, Filmy, Rat hair, Mouse hair, Fish tail, 
Flowering, and Long leaf strawberry ferns. 
Against those who perpetuate the name “ Rat 
hair” a protest is lodged ; as far as can be 
gathered this pretty little fern (Trichomanes 
trichoideum) is more commonly called As- 
paragus,” which certainly sounds better. The 
“Mouse hair” fern deserves its name ! 
LACE BARK. 
Lace bark puffs, (PI. III. 16) prepared from 
the lace bark tree, are much admired. The 
outer bark is beaten and then stripped off to 
disclose the lace bark which is really an inner 
layer of bark and has to be thoroughly washed 
to whiten it. The washing is repeatedly done 
by the peasantry who use soap and water for 
the purpose ; but chloride of lime would be 
found more effective. 
The puffs, with their hollow handles, are 
used as dusters or may serve the purpose of 
stands for glasses of water on an elaborately 
spread dinner table. 
Whips (including handles, thongs and 
lashes,) are made from cuttings of the smaller 
branches of the tree. A section of each 
cutting is stripped, the woody part removed, 
and the loose bark is then plaited to form the 
thong and lash (PI. III. 31). 
Fancy work. The lace bark is much prized 
for all descriptions of fancy work : — Doilies, 
(PL III. 26) Lamp-shades, Fans, Hats, etc. 
