FLAX, OR LINE. 209 



Pliny informs us, that the peasants in Lom- 

 bardy and Piedmont had formerly used as 

 food, a sweet kind of bread or cakes made 

 from this seed, but which in his time was 

 only used in their sacrifices to the gods. 



The quantity of linseed annually im- 

 ported into these kingdoms, was, in the year 

 1780, estimated to be not less than 240,000 

 bushels. 



There is an act of parliament now in force, 

 which forbids the steeping of flax in rivers 

 or any waters where cattle are accustomed 

 to drink, as it is found to communicate a 

 poison destructive to the cattle which drink 

 of it, and to the fish in such waters. 



VOL. I. 



