i';93« •" nettle yarn. 219 



On the PECUtlARITIES AND USES OF THE NETTLE IN ARTS, 



In addition to the useful observations of our very inge- 

 nious correspondent Arcticus, upon the ufility that may 

 be derived from observing with attention the natuial qua- 

 lities of plants, — a study which has been of late but too 

 much neglected, I (hall add a few remarks upon the eco- 

 nomical uses that may be made of the common nettle, 

 suggested by the hints of a gentleman who is an 

 attentive observer of all facts that fall under his cogni- 

 sance. 



It has begn long known that a filament may be obtain- 

 ed from the common stinging nettle, urtica urens, much 

 of the nature of hemp or flax, though pofsefsing some pecu- 

 liar qualities that render it lefs desirable than them for 

 the common manufactures in which these have been usually 

 employed } but few experiments have been made to as- 

 certain precisely the diiference between the qualities of 

 these three substances. 



Cloth made of nettle filament is known to be harder to 

 the feel than that of either hemp or flax ; but it is not in 

 general known that it is lefs corruptible, and lasts much 

 longer in water than either of these substances. An acci- 

 dental circumstance induced my informant to discover 

 this fact. The filhermen at Nevvhaven have frequently 

 occasion to send oysters to Greenock, and along the west 

 coast J and as wooden packages are expensive to send 

 off goods of so small value, and troublesome to return, they 

 were constrained to send them in some kinds of bags j 

 and cheapnefs to them is the greatest recommendation. 

 At first they sent bags of coarse sacking made of hemp 

 tow J ut these, being kept constantly wet, were rery soon 

 rotted and u«elcTs. Some of the poorer and more indus- 



