122 WILD FLOWEES. 



the fibrous strings from the more fleshy sub- 

 stance, and they are laid mider water, either 

 in tanks or ponds, or they are strewn over the 

 grass field, for the dews and sunshine to pre- 

 pare them for use. Fields of flax have been 

 cultivated from the earliest antiquity, for mak- 

 ing linen ; and it appears from the Scriptures, 

 that a numerous class of people were engaged 

 in the manufacture, among the ancient He- 

 brews and Egyptians. The prophet Isaiah, 

 when predicting the wrath of God, and the 

 coming desolation of the land of Egypt, foretells 

 that " they who work in fine flax, and they 

 that weave networks, shall be confounded ;" 

 and the "fine twined linen, wrought with needle- 

 work," was ordered for many purposes, in the 

 ornament and service of the tabernacle, which 

 the Lord commanded that the children of Israel 

 should make. The mucilaginous seeds of the 

 flax are much employed in surgery, and the 

 flower is so elegant, that it is frequently planted 

 in gardens. 



The small common white flax (Linum cathar' 

 ticum) is abundant by road-sides, both in 

 England and France, and grows in such pro- 

 fusion about Versailles, that, small as are its 

 pretty flowers, they make the fi.eld quite white 

 by their number. It is often called mill-moun- 

 tain : country people gather and dry it, as a cure 

 for rheumatism ; and professor Martyn says, 

 " that it is an excellent medicine in that pain- 

 ful complaint." 



Even the barren wall bears an aspect of 



