84 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



rotting it, either in water, or on the grass by dew and rain. In this 

 method, pursued in Britain, more seed and a much stronger fibre 

 are obtained, and the remaining part is used for the food of cattle 

 or horses. The fibre can be whitened afterwards, and left much 

 stronger than by the former method. 



When flax is rotted in ponds of water, by sinking it several 

 bundles in thickness upon each other, the water is charged with 

 deleterious matter so as to kill fishes in the stream below, and to 

 render the adjacent country unhealthy. 



The seed of flax is exceedingly important for its oil, so ne- 

 cessary in the process of painting, and affording a material rela- 

 tively abundant, cheap, and easy of access. It is boiled with 

 litharge, or oxyde of lead, for the purpose of changing it into an 

 oil that will readily dry ; the litharge destroying or changing the 

 nature of the mucilage or gummy part of the seed. 



The seed is also valuable for its medicinal character ; emolli- 

 ent, diuretic. 



The use of the pressed seed of flax after the oil is extracted, 

 as food for horses and cattle, is well known. 



L. perenne. L. Common to Europe and Missouri, may be 

 used to some extent like the preceding. 



Most of the 39 species of this genus are found in Europe, 

 and are far inferior to common Flax for useful purposes. 5 spe- 

 cies grow in the United States, and 3 are indigenous. 



ORDER 140. CARYOPHYLLE^E. The Chickweed 



Tribe. 



Calyx 4 or 5 parted, or of 4 or 5 sepals, persistent, and pe- 

 tals of like number, with claws, inserted under the ovary, not 

 always present ; twice as many stamens as petals, sometimes 

 monadelphous ; ovary superior, on a pedicle, with 2-5 stigmas ; 

 capsule 2-5 valved ; leaves entire and opposite, sometimes 

 connate. The order is named from a splendid and variable spe- 

 cies of Dianthus, the Carnation Pink. 



A few of this order bear beautiful flowers ; many are weeds ; 

 some are saponaceous ; one is said to be anthelmintic, and one is 



