PROCESSES OF PREPARATION DISCUSSED. 287 



separation, it must be remembered that goods manufac- 

 tured from fibre thus obtained are always liable to be 

 injured by moisture, or by any other condition that would 

 act upon the nitrogenized substances, which would still 

 to a great extent remain enveloping and cementing the 

 ' fibres together. 



The second, the chemical or wet process, is effected in three 

 very different ways, and must be considered under three 

 distinct heads, as in each a different principle is involved. 

 The first is that where the separation is effected by simple 

 fermentation, known as "steeping;" the second, where it is 

 due to the abstraction of the nitrogenized extractive com- 

 pound by the agency of chemical solvents ; the third, where 

 simply water, either heated or in the shape of steam, is made 

 use of for the same purpose. 



In the first, a destructive fermentation is carried on, 

 either slowly or rapidly according to the temperature of 

 the water in which it is steeped, at the expense of the ex- 

 tractive matter of the plant, and offensive and noxious 

 gases are generated ; in the second, this matter is removed 

 by the aid of chemical ingredients, which are costly, and 

 never altogether efficient in their action; while by the 

 third, the separation may be effected without any chemi- 

 cal changes taking place in the composition of the plant, 

 and all its several parts be left in an available condition. 



Of these different processes the first, that of " steeping." 

 is the oldest, and still may be termed the universal 

 method by which flax fibre is prepared in every country 

 in which it is grown, the only improvements that have 

 taken place since our earliest records having been of quite 

 recent date. The method described by Pliny 1 as being 



been made known to the public. On the Continent the same attempt has been 

 made, and with like success. Some years ago, M. Christian, Directeur du 

 Conservatoire des Arts et Mitiers, devised a mechanical process for the sepa- 

 ration of the fibre, which appeared to answer well enough at first, but was sooa 

 afterwards gradually abandoned. * Plin. Nat. Hist., lib. xix. cap. 1. 



