78 FLAX. PAPER. 



The common flax, Li'nurn usitatis'simum, in 

 the order Pentagynia of this class, is one of the 

 most valuable of plants ; for every kind of linen is 

 manufactured from the bark of its stalks ; and 

 linen worn to rags makes paper. It is said that 

 the plant came originally from Egypt ; but it is 

 now found wild in many parts of England. The 

 seeds afford linseed-oil, which is used in great 

 quantities for painting; and after the oil has been 

 pressed out they form what are called oil-cakes, 

 with which cattle are fattened. The Linnet has its 

 name from the Li'nuin, because flax-seed is its 

 favourite food. You will be interested very much 

 by reading an account of the method of preparing 

 flax for making linen. 



EDWARD. 

 Is all paper made of linen rags ? 



MOTHER. 



No : what we most commonly use in England 

 is so ; but there are several other kinds, made of 

 different materials. Paper was first manufactured 

 in Europe about the year 1300; and it appears 

 to have been first made of linen towards the 

 beginning of the fourteenth century, but the in- 

 ventor is not known. The first paper-mill in 

 England was erected in 1 588. 



In ancient Egypt paper was made of the in- 

 ner coat of the stem of the Papy'rus, Cy'perus 



