FLAX, OR LINE. 191 



At that period the use of hemp was not dis- 

 covered. 



Flax is a slender plant, that seldom exceeds 

 two feet and a half in height. From its 

 fibrous bark we procure the comfort of linen, 

 and the beauty of lace ; its very rags are 

 manufactured into the most exquisite of all 

 our luxuries, viz. the paper that enables 

 distant friends to hold converse, and commu- 

 nicates the wisdom of the learned of every 

 age and language. 



How the fibrous qualities of this plant 

 were first discovered, it is beyond the powers 

 of research to ascertain ; probably the ear- 

 liest use of this pliable plant was to twist 

 into bands for the purpose of attaching pro- 

 ductive vines to unfruitful trees. Thus 

 Milton describes the employment of our first 

 parents : 



" or they led the vine 



To wed her elm ; she 'spoused, about him twines 



Her marriageable arms, and with her brings 



Her dower, adopted clusters, to adorn 



His barren leaves." 



Book 5. 



As man multiplied, the necessity of en- 

 snaring wild animals and securing domes- 

 tic ones, would naturally call his attention 

 to the formation of a cord ; and when once a 



