Rice Paper

a thin, strong paper used largely in China and Japan. It is now made, however, chiefly in Formosa, from the pith of a small tree. This pith may be extracted in the form of pure white cylinders two inches in diameter and several inches in length. The paper is made by paring the pith into a long, delicate ribbon by means of a razor-like edge, so set that it slices off a thin shaving of uniform thickness. The ribbon is then straightened out, subjected to pressure, dried, and, if desired, cut into sheets. In some respects it resembles the paper made from the Egyptian papyrus, which see. It is much used in the manufacture of artificial flowers, light hats, and sunshades. See Paper