EXAMINATION OF TEXTILE FIBRES. 85 
regions of Europe and America. The seed of the plant 
furnishes linseed-oil, and the bast yields flax to be spun 
into linen. The flax-fibre like others of its class, is a 
bundle of cells, each a hollow cylinder tapering at both 
ends (Fig. 33). Its cells are distinguished by their 
uty 
Fic. 33.—THE FLAx-FIBRE. (After Hassack.) 200 diameters. 
large size (25 to 30 mm. long by .o2 mm. in diameter), 
and by the fact that they are swollen or knotted at fre- 
quent intervals. The central canal is narrow and nearly 
circular in section, while the cell itself is somewhat flat- 
tened. Thus when a number of cells are examined under 
the microscope some will appear much broader than 
others, while the canal in all of them is narrow. At the 
end the flax cell tapers gradually to a very sharp point, 
and the canal disappears at some distance from the tip. 
