LINACK/E 



471 



rigid, at the same time retaining considerable elasticity due 

 to the bast fibers. 



Flax Fibers. — Three tissue areas arc recognizable in the 

 stem: i)ith, wood, and bark. The flax bark contains the 

 bast or llax fiber cells. These bast fibers give flax straw 



its great financial value since they make up the part from 

 which linen is made. Each bast fiber is a single cell, 25 to 

 30 millimeters long, and cylindrical in shape. 



Leaves, Inflorescence and Flowers.— The leaves are 

 narrow, entire, and blunt at the apex. The inflorescence 



