LINAGES. 



75 



2. L. angustifolium, L. (Xarrow-loaved Flax.) Ilorlt, hoars tho above 

 description, with narrower leaves. Perennial. 



These two species and their varieties furnish the Hax of commerce. 



.3. L. Vir^iniauum, L. (Wild Flax), is a heautiful plant, indigenous to east- 

 ern North America; bears the above description except that the sepals are 

 mucronate and the seed-vessel depressed. Hills and edges of woods. Common. 



There are nearly a hundred species of the Linum, the inner l»arks of all of 

 which in a greater or less degree possess the strong, fibrous character of the 

 Jj. usitatissimum and the L. angustifolium. 



Geographi/. — No plant known to domestic economy has a wider geogra])h- 

 ical range than the flax. It is found growing luxuriantly in the subtropical 

 bottom lands of Hindustan, in southern Egypt, and 

 throughout Europe to the shores of the Baltic, in .south- 

 ern and middle Russia, and northeastern America. 



Etymologij. — Linum is from the Greek word Kiuov, 

 thread. The specific name usitaU'ssimum signifies 

 most used, or useful, and atifjustifolium has reference 

 to the narrow leaves of this species. Virginianuin 

 signifies Virginian flax, or flax found in Virginia, a 

 name once applied to a much larger extent of terri- 

 tory than that occupied by the present State. Flax is 

 the Anglo-Saxon name for the plant, and signifies to 

 plait, or weave, referring to the use made of the fibrous 

 bark of the plant. 



Historij. — The home of the varieties of flax under 

 cultivation is believed to be the countries of the Le- 

 vant and the Mediterranean. Flax was used by the 

 people of western Asia at a period prior to the found- 

 ing of Babylon. It was* well known to the ancient 

 Egyptians. The mummies were wrapped in linen 

 cloth, usually of very fine texture. In the Swiss lake- 

 dwellings evidence is found that the L. angustifolium 

 had been cultivated. The stems of the plant used 

 were cut, indicating a perennial species. Similar di.<5- 

 coveries have been made in the peat-liogs of Lombardy. The species grown 

 in ancient Egypt was L. usitatissimum. Tn the Scriptures fine linen is fre- 

 quently mentioned. In the temple of Minerva at Lindus there was kept a 

 linen corslet of fine workmanship, which had been worn by Amasis, an 

 Egyptian king who reigned 600 years before Christ, each thread of whicli 

 was composed of 300 filaments. The garment was decorated with cotton and 

 gold. At the beginning of the Christian era linen fabrics wore in use not 

 only in Palestine and Egypt, but also in Europe. 



Pliny, in speaking of tlie flax of S])ain, says that it was sujierior to that 

 produced in other countries, showing thereby that it was under cultivation 

 throughout the south of Europe at that time. It was introduced into England 

 soon after the Norman rule began, Init never became a ])rofitable crop there 



Ciiltivatinn atid Prrparatini}. — Flax re(|uiros a damp, moderatelv fertile 

 soil. It is sown broadcast, about three bushels to the acre, and rolled or har- 

 rowed ; and just before the seed is ripe, it is j.ulled. made up into Imndles. and 

 sunk under water, to dis.solve the gummy substance between the bark and the 

 stalk. After it is removed from the water it is spread out to dry ; it is then 



LiNTTM trSITATISSlMrM 



(Common Flax). 



