vi PREFACE. 
The Lecture having been reprinted, both in this country 
and in the Colonies, elicited much additional information, 
some of which came in time to be recorded in its proper 
place in the present work. The Lecture was also repub- 
lished in the Pamphlet form, because, as was stated, it was 
out of print—though this is usually a reason for authors 
republishing their own productions. One editor complained 
that he had seen it reprinted more than a hundred times, 
and that it would never produce as much paper as it had 
been printed on. As I myself never sent it, either directly 
or indirectly, to any one for the purpose, I was happy to 
find that the aspect of the times made the subject appear 
sufficiently interesting to induce so many to republish so 
imperfect an account. 
Having been requested to place the information re- 
specting Indian Fibres in some permanent form, I com- 
menced the present work at the conclusion, last summer, of 
my Lectures at King’s College. It has extended much 
beyond the limits which I had prescribed for it, partly 
owing to the number of subjects to be treated of, but 
especially owing to the variety of points requiring to be 
attended to respecting each; in order that the culture of 
the plant and the preparation of the fibre—e. g., of Flax— 
should be attended to according to the scientific principles 
and the improved practice of the present day. The object 
being that these should assist colonists and planters in 
escaping failure with the culture of Flax, at the same time 
that they might apply the information to the culture and 
preparation of other fibres. 
Respecting Flax, I have been enabled to bring together 
much valuable information, in consequence of so much 
having been done and written: so it is because much has 
been done, though little is known regarding Indian Fibres, 
that my limits have. been so much exceeded. This was 
