Rice-paper

Rice-paper, a paper made in China with layers of Fatsia (Aralia papyrifera, a tree peculiar to the island of Formosa. The pith is sometimes 1 to 1½ inch in diameter. By carefully cutting this pith spirally with a very sharp knife it is opened out into a sheet of snowy whiteness. When the curl has been removed by weighting, or by flattening in a press, it is ready for use. The largest sheets cut are 10 by 15 inches. It is chiefly used for making coloured drawings on. When dyed it can be made into the most perfect artificial flowers, more natural than can be produced from any other paper or fabric.