61 



Wednesday, March 21, 1801. 



Adjourned meeting this evening. Vice-Prc!>ident H. M. 

 Erooks in the Cliair. 



Records of preceding meeting read. 



George D. Phippen occupied the hour in giving an inter- 

 esting account of FibriHa or Flax Cotton, in connection 

 with the Bast tissue generallj^, as found in trees and plants, 

 accompanied with numerous specimens, which called forth 

 considerable discussion from members and others present, 

 whereby two hours of the evening were pleasantly and prof- 

 itably passed by such as were fortunate enough to attend. 

 Much information was elicited upon this important subject, 

 which, ere long, by new appliances of inventive genius, may 

 materially affect our peace, comfort and prosperity. 



The manner of the formation of plant tissues, particularly 

 the Bast tissues, so called, as laid on by the plastic hand of 

 nature, was illustrated ; it being deemed important to a cor- 

 rect understanding of the analytic and eliminating processes 

 employed in the manufacture of fibrilia. Results j)rove that 

 a careful and microscopic inspection of the manner in which 

 the minuter fibrils of this tissue are deposited by concealed 

 and mysterious operations within the sap vessels and around 

 the stem, was suggestive of a course of manipulation, which, 

 as is believed, has at last been crowned with success. 



From these peculiar tissues do we derive both material 

 for the strongest cables and stoutest canvass, as well as 

 thread for the finest needles and muslins which vie with, 

 gossamer in texture. 



This tissue, where of sufficient strength for manufacture^ 

 is found chiefly within two of the principal groups or natu- 

 ral orders of plants, and are designated by botanists as the 

 Nettle and Mallows families. 



