FLAX 



413 



the microscope, is seen to consist of a bundle of extremely delicate filaments adhering 

 together, so that fine and coarse flax are really relative terms. Mr. Jennings throws 

 down upon the flax fibre, as it appears in commerce, a small quantity of oil, say half 

 an ounce to the pound of fibre. He effects this by boiling the fibre in an alkaline soap- 

 lye, washing with water, and then boiling in water slightly acidulated with pyrolig- 

 neous acid, which decomposes the soap, and leaves its fatty constituent on the fibre. 

 It is afterwards washed once more, and is then found to be soft and silky, and the 

 coarse fibres capable of being readily separated on the hackle, while the strength is 



not apparently reduced. There is also a greater facility in the bleaching of the linen 

 made from flax fibre so treated, and less loss in weight in the bleaching process. 



While some of the inventions referred to for hastening and equalising the time of 

 steeping are being carried out to a considerable extent, and promise well, when brought 

 to a greater degree of perfection by experience in practical working, to be yet more 

 largely employed, the great mass of the flax grown throughout the globe is steeped in 

 pools, rivers, or lakes. It will, therefore, be most advisable to follow the processes, as 

 practised by the growers or factors. 



When the flax has been sufficiently retted, i. e. when on taking a few stalks out of 

 the water the fibre can be readily separated by the fingers along its entire length from 



