E'RIODEN'DRON (Neo-Lat., from Gk. rpcou, erion, wool dendron, tree). A genus of trees of the natural order .:\lalvace.e. or Born according to Engler, natives of tropical countries. The thick, woody seed-capsules con tain a kind of fibre which resembles cotton, from which the trees are called silk-cotton. Erioden dron anfractuosum, found in the East Indies, Africa, and also South America, is a tree which reaches a height of 130 feet or more. The Afri can variety or species is called rimi and bentang. Park mentions it by the latter name. Barth says it is generally to be seen growing near the prin cipal gate of large towns in Haussa. Its wood is soft and spongy. chiefly used for making canoes. The roundish seeds, of the size of peas, are eaten in Celebes. The trees of this genus have palmate leaves and large, beautiful flowers. On account of its shortness, elasticity, and brittle ness, the fibre cannot be spun like cotton. It is. however, valuable in various ways in upholstery and is used for making floss. The principal sup
plies come from Java, although the tree is com mon throughout nearly all tropical regions. In Java it is known as 'Kapok.' Ihe silky and lus trous fibre of Eriodendron Samauma is used in Brazil for stuffing pillows, and has been made into many articles. It is said to be a good substi tute for beaver in the manufacture of felt hats. Very similar to Eriodendron are the species of Bombax, a related genus. Bombax Ceiba and Bombax '1\11111ga:1 are Brazilian trees of large size. Bombax Alalabaricum is an East Indian 'species, the fibre of which is reddish, hence the tree is called the red silk-cotton tree. The fibre of these three species is used only for stuffing pillows. It is said that all of them would make good paper. Valuable bast-fibres used in making ropes are found in the bark of all species.