go CORDAGE FIBRES 



Under the microscope, hemp fibre is seen to consist of cell 

 elements, which are unusually long, averaging about f in. in 

 length. The ratio between the length and diameter is about 

 1,000. The fibre is rather uneven in its diameter, and has 

 often fragments of lignified tissue attached to it. In its linear 

 structure the fibre exhibits frequent joints, longitudinal frac- 

 tures and swollen fissures. The lumen is usually broad, but 

 becomes like a line towards the end of the fibre. It shows 

 scarcely any contents. The ends of the filaments are blunt 

 and very thick-walled, and often possess literal branches. 

 The cross section generally shows a group of cells, which 

 nearly always have rounded edges, and are not so sharp- 

 angled and polygonal as in the case of jute. There is also a 

 median layer between the cells, which is evidenced by it 

 turning yellow on treatment with iodine and sulphuric acid. 

 In the section the lumen appears irregular and flattened, and 

 does not show any contents. The cell walls frequently 

 exhibit a remarkable stratification, the different layers yield- 

 ing a variety of colours on treatment with iodine and 

 sulphuric acid. 



Hemp is somewhat difficult to distinguish microscopically 

 from flax, but there is a difference in the appearance of the 

 cross section, which is of service in discriminating between 

 these two fibres. Again, the parenchymous tissue which 

 frequently occurs as attached fragments to hemp fibre is rich 

 in straw-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate, and this is 

 scarcely ever to be noticed in the case of flax. A peculiarity 

 to be noticed in the examination of hemp is the occasional 

 presence of long narrow cells, filled with a reddish brown 

 matter. These cells occur between the fibres as well as in the 

 bast, and probably contain tannin. They are not found 

 in flax. 



The appearance of Sunn hemp under the microscope is 

 very similar to hemp proper. The essential distinction be- 

 tween the two is in the cross section, which shows the 



