ULMACEAE, Mirbel. (Elm Family)
The slippery elm (Ulmus fulva, Michx.) was found three times. Once, in a burden strap made by the Iroquois Indians (AMNH 50-6680) in which the fibers had received some preliminary treatment to soften them and remove much of the natural gum. Two other specimens, both rather coarsely woven fabrics from mounds of the Hopewell culture (OSHAM 283 and 125) were in the Ohio State Historical and Archaeological Museum.
The American elm (Ulmus americana, L.) was encountered only once in an Iroquois burden strap (MAIHF 19-4550). The fiber had received some preliminary treatment and differed decidedly from Ulmus fulva in the shape of the cells, in cross-section, and the residual amount of amorphous material.