124 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



faulty and securing a thread of exceeding fineness and 

 great strength. As regards the strength, indeed, some 

 samples that are as fine as the threads of a spider's web 

 are nevertheless as strong as a metal wire. The result of 

 all this care is that the thread is worth its weight in gold 

 before the making of the lace begins. There is now 

 much inferior thread used in the production of cheap laces, 

 but certain manufacturers of Bi'ussels maintain the high 

 quality for which their city has long been famous, and those 

 who care to pay the price may obtain lace of modern 

 make, equal in every way to the best of laces that have 

 acquired historical renown. 



