Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-11
USEFUL PLANTS OF THE WORLD.
Some OF Them which the Departments Of
Agriculture Has In Its Collection

Some OF Them which the Departments Of
Agriculture Bas In Its Collection
TNHE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Il has just issued . very curious and interest
ing list Of plants useful to man which are con-
tanned in its collection.
Among the most remarkable Of these 10 the
lace-bark tree Of Jamaica. the inner bark OF
which is composed of many layers Of hbers that
interlace in all directions Caps rufies, and
even complete suits Of lace are made from il.
1t bears washing with common soap. and when
bleached In the sun acquires Q degree
Of wilderness equal to the best artificial
lace, with which this surprising natural product
compares quite fsvorably a. TO beauty. Another
curiosity is known in the tropics o. the sand
bark tree and also - the monkeys dinner bell.
1t has round. hard-shelled fruit about the
size OF an orange, which, when ripe and dry.
bursts open with sharp noise like the report
of pistol. Its Juice is poisonous. The South
American trumpet tree might furnish . band
with musical instruments. inasmuch a. its
hollow branches are utilized for horns and also
for drums.
FROM TRAvANroRR
come . quaint plant called the "cerberus."
which has . milky, poisonous Juice. The
unripe fruit is used by the natives 10 de-
stroy dogs. as its action causes their teeth
to loosen and fall out The leaves of the So
called American aloe are made into razor
strops and are also employed for cleaning
and securing pewter. Quite . wonder
full tree IL the calabash OF the
West Indies. which bears enormous fruits that
resemble pumpkins and grow TO be nearly two
feet in diameter. With the pulp removed
they serve various domestic purposes-for car
rylng water and even as kettles for cooking
having the great advantages Of strength and
lightness.
TEE MOVING PLANT
Another queer plant in the collection belongs
to the pea family and 10 called the moving
plant" on account of the manner in which its
leaves turn around of their own accord or go
by jerks, without being touched OF in any wsy
disturbed. Sometimes only one or two leaves
on a plant will be affected: at other
times they will all perform jumps and
gyrations simultaneously. 1t is observed
that the movements are most energetic when
the thermometer marks about so degrees
The dumb cane" ID so called because its ieshy.
cane-like stems render speechless any one who
NAV happen to bite them. In the West Indies
which is a very beautiful silky fiber.
highly elastic and used for stuffing cush-
ions. An interesting specimen is the pippul
tree of the Hlndoos, which as held in such ven
eratlOn mat u Is considered q crime 10 cut on
one Of the branches. There is also tooth
brush tree from Jamaica Tooth brushes are
made from ii by cutting pieces Of the stem to
convenient lengths and fraying out the ends.
1t also supplies conveniently enough, an ex-
cellent toothpewder, which IL prepared by
pulverizing the dried stems
HENNA
This wonderful vegetable assemblage in
cludes the celebrated henna plant Of the east,
the powdered leaves of which are commonly
utilized as a cosmetic in Asia and northern
Africa. The practice has descended from very
remote ages, as is proved by the Egyptian
mummies, the parts dyed being usually the
finger and toe nails, the tips Of the fingers, the
palms of the hands and the soles of the
feet. The reddish tint produced is considered
highly ornaments by oriental bellies. In Brazil
there grows a tree which has hard urn-shaped
fruits. known as monkey cups They contain
edible nuts and the husks are very peculiar.
being six inches in diameter and having regu-
lar lids which fit them closely and separate
when the seeds are mature. Natives employ
for cigar wrappers the bark, which is composed
OF great many layers not thicker than writing
paper.
THE SNAKE TREE
Of Guiana is SO called because the seed Is
twisted in a manner to resemble cooled ser
pent. For this reason the Indians employ the
nuts as an.idote for snake poison. Another
curiosity is the papyrus of Asia, which yielded
the substance used as paper by the ancien,
Egyptians. For this purpose the wood
of the reed stem was cut in thin
| slices, which were placed side by
slde according to the size Of the sheet required
After being whetted and beaten with a wooden
instrument until smooth they were pressed and
dried in the sun. A queer plant is a native OF
| Madagascar. Formerly its seeds. which are
| very poisonous, were administered TO per
| sons accused of crime. If the individual
| was innocent the dose excited vomiting and
his recovery was looked upon as a satisfactory
| yindication; but, when retained in the stomach
it quickly proved fatal, and guilt was thus
established. The vegetable ivory plant OF
South America is q well-known commercial
article. Its seeds at first contain clear. insipo
liquid, which changes by degrees until it be.
comes as hard as ivory, for which it is used q,
a substitute in many manufactures.
FROM EASTERN ASIA
comes plant the flowers of which contain q
quantity of juice that rapidly turns black o,
deep purple. 1t is used by Chinese ladies' 70,
dyeing their hair and eyebrows, and in Jaws
for backing shoes. Decidedly remarkable il
the camphor tree, from which csmpboi
is prepared by boiling the chopped
| branches in water. 1t is mainly produced
| in the Island of Formosa. Inasmuch as i
grows well in the southern states there is reason
| to believe that the preparation of camphor viii
| some day become a profitable industry in Thu
country. The arnotta plant has seeds coated
with a red. waxy pulp, which is dried anc
made into cakes. 1t is much employed by the
South American Cards for painting theil
| bodies, paint being almost their ONLY
| article of clothing. As a commercial arti
Gle it is mainly utilized a coloring fol-
cheese, butter and inferior chocolates. From
| India comes the khus-khus grass the fbroul
| roots of which yield very peculiar and pleas
| featured into screens for doors and windows
| which when wet diffuse a refreshing scent