BOTANIC AND DOMAIN GARDENS. 
45 
List of Barks , Sfc., from which Paper and Fibre for various purposes have been 
prepared at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 
No. 1. Paper prepared from the baric of the “Paper Mulberrrv” tree. — 
Broussonetia papyrifera. The uses for which this bark is employed, are too well 
known to be worthy of remark here. The sample of paper exhibited, in a rough 
state, has been obtained from a plant grown in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 
No. 2. Paper prepared from Salvia canariensis. — This plant, a native of the 
Canary Islands, has been acclimatised in the Gardens, where it grows very pro- 
fusely and can be easily propagated. Its fibre producing properties are very great, 
and no doubt of considerable importance, as it furnishes material for paper of 
superior quality for writing, packing, &c. Sample prepared in rough state at 
Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 
No. 3. Paper prepared from the bark of Dais cotinifolia, a beautiful tree 
belonging to the order Daphnacese; native of South Africa, and growing to a height 
of twenty -five feet or more. The bark, which peels readily, yields a good material 
for paper of a fine texture and very white, and also a yellow dye. Sample pre- 
pared from plant growing in Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 
No. 4. Paper also fibre prepared from bark of the “ Grass- cloth ” tree of 
Queensland. Pipturus propinquus : Wedd. Ord. Urticese. — This tree attains a 
height of fifty feet in favourable situations, furnishing large quantities of fibre yield- 
ing bark suitable for paper of good quality, and also (in a young state) for the 
manufacture of ropes, fishing nets, &c. It is also rich in tannin, and yields a 
valuable dye. It is a native of Queensland and New South Wales, but is found 
also scattered throughout the South Sea Islands and Indian Archipelago Sample 
prepared in a rough state from plant growing in Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 
No. 5. Fibre and bast (in various stages) prepared from the bark of the “Flame- 
tree” of New South Wales. Sterculia acerifolia : A. Cunningham. Ord. Stercu- 
liaceas.— 1 The bast furnished by this tree is of the finest lace-like texture possible, 
and is no doubt superior in many respects to Cuba bast. On large trees the bark 
is fully two inches in thickness. The fibre can be prepared very simply by a 
steeping process, and is suitable for the manufacture of ropes, strong cordage, 
mats, baskets, fishing nets and lines, and paper of superior quality. The refuse, 
which is of a very elastic nature, could be used for stuffing mattresses, saddles, 
&c., &c. Samples prepared at Melbourne Botanic Gardens from plants growing 
there. 
No. 6. Fibre and bast prepared from the bark of the Victorian “Bottle-tree” 
(Currijong of the aborigines). Sterculia diversifolia : G. Don. Ord. Stercu- 
liaceze. — The bast furnished, in large quantities, by this tree is somewhat like that 
of Sterculia acerifolia, but much coarser and of a darker color. It is suitable for 
ropes, coarse cordage, matting, baskets, paper, &c., and can be prepared very 
simply by steeping. This tree is found in the colonies of Queensland and New 
South Wales, as well as in Victoria. Samples prepared at Melbourne Botanic 
Gardens. 
No. 7. Fibre prepared from the bark of Sterculia footida : Linnceus. Ord. 
Sterculiacese. — This tree, which is a native of the East Indian and Malayan 
Peninsulas, as well as of New South Wales, furnishes a valuable bark for paper- 
making, coarse ropes, bags, matting, & c. Its preparation is very simple. Sample 
prepared at Melbourne Botanic Gardens from tree growing there. 
