BAST FIBERS 



229 



Fig. 217, I. — Flax (Linum xisitatissimum. Flax Familj-, Linacew). Plant in 

 flower. Young flower-cluster. Seed, entire and cut vertically. (Bail- 

 Ion.) — Annual, about 60 cm. tall; leaves smooth; flowers light blue; 

 fruit dry. Native home, Southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. 



and most elastic part of the framework of plants. In con- 

 trast ^\ith the woody part they contain commonly a larger 

 proportion of pure cellulose and are thus comparatively 

 little affected by agencies of decay or the various chemicals 

 which destroy or soften wood. The bast fibers of greatest 

 economic importance are flax, jute, and hemp. 



Flax is next to cotton, the most useful and valuable of all 

 fibers. It has an even wider range of uses, but as its prep- 



