Oct. 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



PHOEMIUM TENAX, OR NEW ZEALAND FLAX. 125 



It is a searching agent, which exposes the errors of those who 

 blunder in the studies of Nature — a confirmer of truths — a spirit that 

 dives into the deep bosom of the earth and reveals her riches, that soars 

 into the high region of the heavens and brings away its lightning — 

 that, like light, penetrates everywhere, and, like light, clears away all 

 obscurities. 



It is true that Sir Francis Bacon was the first to teach us how to 

 follow the genius of Nature through her many mansions. He began at 

 the beginning in this particular ; and yet wonderful as was his learning 

 then and as it still is, he had only reached the threshold of the great 

 temple of science which succeeding generations have only partly built 

 up. It is still an unfinished edifice ; not because it is labouring under 

 the ban of a supernatural power, but because it is a structure to be 

 made of mind, not matter — whose materials are to be drawn from the 

 profoundest intellects, the tests of whose strength must be submitted to 

 ages upon ages — whose increasing lights are beacons to guide it3 

 builders, and whose completion will be perfection. 



PHORMIUM TENAX, OR NEW ZEALAND FLAX. 



BY CHARLES CRAIK. 



The valuable properties of the Phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax, 

 as a fibre-producing plant, have long been known to botanists and 

 others ; but, owing to various causes, its merits have not been, as yet, 

 to any but a very inconsiderable extent practically tested in this country. 

 The important purposes to which the Phormium tenax can undoubtedly 

 be applied surely render it of importance that it be brought under 

 the notice of our manufacturers, as there is good reason for believing 

 that it is well adapted for the manufacture of paper, and in the event of 

 a demand being created in the markets of Britain it could be exported 

 from New Zealand to a practically unlimited extent. 



The Phormium tenax, which belongs to the order Liliacece of the 

 natural system of botany, is strictly indigenous to New Zealand, and 

 grows abundantly in all parts of that colony. In different portions of the 

 province of Otago, in the Middle Island of New Zealand, we have seen 

 it thriving in profusion. It is one of the first objects that catches the 

 eye of the emigrant as soon as he leaves the ocean and enters the mag- 

 nificent natural harbour of Port Chalmers ; and on the voyage thence up 

 to the town of -Dunedin, it is seen in hundreds of places growing down 

 to the very margin of the shore, till it almost dips its leaves in the salt 

 water. In the Botanical Gardens of Kew and Edinburgh specimens of 

 it may be seen, but these afford but a very indifferent idea of its appear- 



