FARLY CULTIVATION OF FLAX PLANT. 1385 
different processes of preparation, that is, nearly parallel to 
each other. They may then be simply tied together near 
the thicker end, so as to form what are called heads: or they 
may be similarly tied in two or three places, if it is thought 
desirable to do so, with long fibres. Such fastenings can most 
easily be cut across with a knife, and with the least possible 
expenditure of time.and labour; so as to expose the fibres in 
a state in which they can be immediately made use of. 
Besides this mode of tying up the bundles of fibres, which 
would, in fact, save much of the time and labour now inju- 
riously expended, it would be desirable if the natives could be 
induced, generally, to pay more attention to the preparation 
of these fibres, especially in not macerating the plants longer 
than absolutely necessary for the purpose of separation, as 
already referred to at p.29. The benefits of such care 
would soon be apparent in the increased demand and improved 
prices for Indian fibres, not only in this country but in other 
parts of the world. 
Friax, Linseep (Linum usitatissimum, Linacee). 
Sans.—Atasee. Hind.—Atees, Ulsee. Beng.—Mushina. Persian—Kutan. 
The Flax plant is one of those which was cultivated by the 
earliest of the civilised nations of antiquity, and has continued 
to be so to the present time, and is becoming every day of still 
greater importance. We may see from the paintings in the 
tombs of Egypt, that it was early cultivated in that country; 
and we can also prove that it was so, from a microscopic 
examination of mummy-cloth. We read in the book of ‘Exodus’? 
' The word Pishtah undoubtedly refers to the Flax plant, of which the preparation 
for its fibre is so clearly represented in the Grotto of El Kab. The words dad, butz, 
and shesh, which occur so frequently in the Scriptures, are supposed to indicate 
different kinds of Linen. But it has been doubted whether, in a language like the 
Hebrew, it is probable that so many names are applied to the produce of one plant, 
or whether it is not more probable that they refer to the products of different plants. 
The Author has ventured to think that Linen, Cotton, and Hemp were all known; 
and are mentioned—Cotton (Karpas), in Estheri, 6. Bad is very similar to the 
Sanscrit pat. Shesh differs only in the aspirate from husheesh, which is one of the 
Arabic names of the Hemp; as the Author has pointed out in the respective articles 
in Kitto’s ‘Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature.’ 
