GOTANV. 191 



FLAX. 



The flax-plant is not, so far as I know, cultivated either 

 in these Provinces or Burmah, but the Burmese are ac- 

 quainted with linen from their books in which it is fre- 

 quently mentioned. 



The lake or tank near king Wathandria's hermitage, is 

 described as being covered with water lilies, that anpear 

 like garments made of thread of flax bark ; and linen gar- 

 ments are mentioned among those which priests are pe re- 

 mitted to wear. 



Liinum usitatissimam. 

 Gsjiwn Kshauma (Sanscrit.) Q9"iyj. Sou 



NATIVE COTTON. 



The Karens usually grow cotton enough to make their 

 own fabrics, and on the Salwen and Tenasserim it is some- 

 times raised in considerable quantities ; but its market 

 price is little more than a fourth of the best American 

 cotton ; yet with improved modes of culture, and frequent 

 changes of seed, its value would undoubtedly be greatly 

 increased. 



Gossi/[)ium herbaceum. 



din b5l. obii 



PERNAMBUCO COTTON. 



Mr. Blundell introduced the plant which produces the 

 Pemambuco, Peruvian, Bahia, or South Sea Island cotton ; 

 and Capt. Macfarquhar raised such a fine article at Tavoy 

 from it, that the Committee of the Agricultural and Hor- 

 ticultural Society of Calcutta were unwilling to be- 

 lieve it the production of that species. They reported : 

 " The sample sent by Capt. Macfarquhar appears to be 

 of a quality resembling the Sea Island, but finer and 

 more silky, and the fibre not so strong, its value is not so 

 easy to determine, but the Committee are of opinion that 

 it would sell for a high price. The Pernambuco cotton, 

 which it is believed, is the same as the South Sea Island 

 cotton, is an inferior staple to that of the N. American 

 $ea Island, and they have a sample of cotton submitted. 



