58 VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY. [LESSON 20. 



345. The woody fibre of flax and hemp is chiefly employed by us 

 for economic purposes ; in the Philippine Islands the fibre from the 

 leaves of a plain tain is used; in Mexico the leaves of some wild 

 species of pine-apple furnish a similar substance ; an endless variety 

 of plants are used for cordage, for almost every country applies its 

 own plants to this purpose. 



346. Our obligations to woody fibre are infinite ; without its aid 

 we might forego the luxury of a shirt to our back, sails and cordage 

 for our ships, or a door-mat upon which to clean our shoes ; without 

 its assistance this book could not have had existence, for the paper 

 upon which it is printed, and the wood upon which the engravings 

 have been made, are woody fibre. 



