4 TEXTILE FIBRES. 



to another. The core of the fibre had a spiral form which, in transverse 

 section, showed the presence of concentric rings. As to the waxy coat- 

 ing of cotton fibres " Mr. Butterworth stated his belief that its relative 

 scarcity, scantiness or abundance would be found materially to affect the 

 working capabilities of cottons ; also that as long as it is present a 

 perfect bleaching cannot be obtained " (Marsden's Cotton Spinning). 



The bast fibres of commerce are obtained from the stems of various 

 British and foreign plants. Bast fibres are multicellular. The cells are 

 long and hexagonal in transverse section ; they taper at both ends and 

 overlap one another laterally, while their walls are composed of more or 

 less thickened lignin or woody material, as in the stems of trees, and in 

 jute (Cor chorus). 



The differentiation of these fibrous cells depends on the age of the 

 stems, and the proximity of the fibres to the epidermis or to the middle 

 layers of the bark in the dicotyledonous plants. 



The fibro- vascular bundles of monocotyledons are closed, and 

 independent of one another. The good commercial qualities of these 

 fibres when separated from the ground tissue in which they are found 

 depends upon their moderate length, strength, flexibility, and the number 

 of fibre cells in each bundle. The bundles serve as mechanical supports 

 for the softer parts of the plant. In the microscopic examination of 

 these bundles certain reagents may be used, such as iodine, sulphuric 

 acid, glycerine, carbonate of soda, carmine, and Schulze's solution (chlor. 

 zinc iodine). The last-mentioned is a handy reagent for distinguishing 

 cellulose, lignose and suberose tissues, as it colours cellulose blue ; cork 

 and lignified cell walls, yellow ; protoplasm, brown ; and starch, blue. 



Aloe, American (Agave Americana, Amaryllidacese). The parallel 

 veined leaves yield the useful fibre known as Aloe Fibre and Pite Hemp. 

 The fibres are separated from the leaves by bruising and steeping the latter 

 in water and then beating them for a time. They are used in the manu- 

 facture of common cordage threads and paper. The American Aloe was 

 introduced into England as an ornamental plant in 1640. It is stemless ; 

 the leaves are broadly sword shaped (ensiform) with spiny teeth, and the 

 scape of the flower is branched. It was formerly thought that the 

 American Aloe only flowered once in a hundred years, but it is now 

 known that the flowering depends upon the situation it is grown in 

 and the culture bestowed upon it. Sometimes the name of "Aloe" is 

 dropped and the generic name of Agave substituted. T HAN * &P' 



The juice of the leaves of this plant just before flowering contains 

 much sugar and mucilage; when fermented this yields a vinous acid 

 beverage called Pulque, which at one time was highly esteemed by the 

 Mexicans. 



