CLASS V. ORDER V.] LINUM. 453 



are applied. The stems of several species afford tenacious fibres, but 

 none are so valuable as those of this species. The stems are macerated 

 for some time in water, until the bark and cellular substance become 

 loosened; it is then dried and beaten until the fibrous part is free, and 

 they are then known by the name ofjlax, which is applied to many use- 

 ful purposes, being made into linen, &c. The fibrous substance, which 

 is very tenacious and durable, renders it capable of being spun 

 into such extremely fine threads, and wove into the most delicate 

 fabrics. The fibres are a most beautiful substance under the lens 

 of a microscope of great power, when it will be seen that even the 

 finest filaments are composed of a number of fine tubes; and in- 

 terspersed amongst these will be seen, when it is in a fresh state, 

 minute particles of greenish matter. This, which is called by vege- 

 table anatomists woody fibre, is thought by some to be only a form 

 of cellular substance, which by compression is formed into elongated 

 tubes, having transverse partitions. There appears, however, some 

 reason to suppose that it is a distinct form of tissue, and that it is 

 tubular, without partitions. The anatomical investigation of vegetable 

 substances is one of extreme interest, and opens a wide field, in every 

 step of which new objects of wonder and astonishment are presented 

 requiring our further examination. 



The seeds of this plant are known by the name of lineseed ; they have 

 an unctuous feel, a mucilaginous sweetish taste, without any remark- 

 able smell. They yield by expression a large quantity of oil, which, 

 when made without the application of heat, has not any particular 

 flavour or taste ; it is sometimes used instead of castor oil, but is not 

 either so pleasant in its operation, or so powerful in its effects. It 

 forms with lime water a thin linament, which is considered one of the 

 best applications to scalds and burns; but of late years this seems to 

 be superseded by the use of cotton, or the application of dried wheaten 

 flour to the injured parts. The seeds of flax also give to boiling water 

 a considerable quantity of bland mucilage, which has but little flavour, 

 and is frequently of great use in coughs, hoarseness, and catarrhal 

 affections, as well as in affections of the urinary passages. The flour 

 of the seeds is much esteemed for making poultices for various exter- 

 nal affections, and the pulp left after the expression of the oil is formed 

 into cakes, commonly called oil-cake, is used as food for cattle, but if 

 too great a quantity is given, it gives the meat a peculiar flavour, which 

 by many persons is not considered pleasant. The oil, both raw and 

 boiled with litharge, is extensively used in the arts and manufactures, 

 painting, &c. 



2. L. pe'renne, Linn. (Fig. 516.) Perennial Blue Flax. Stems 

 erect, numerous, branched upwards ; leaves linear, lanceolate, acute, 

 smooth ; sepals obovate, obtuse, obscurely five ribbed, smooth. 



English Botany, t. 40.— English Flora, vol. ii. p. 119.— Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol, i. p. 150. — Lindley, Synopsis, p. 53. 



