133 



and stated that a patent had been recently taken out 

 by Mr. Zincke for the manfacture of thread from this 

 fibre, and from the patentee's statement, it appeared 

 that when the fibre is bleached it becomes capable of 

 being spun in the manner now adopted with flax, and 

 by the same machinery, because the process of bleach- 

 ing, by destroying the adhesion between the bundles 

 of fibre, renders it much finer, and hence enables it 

 to be extended between the rolls in the process of 

 spinning. 



The patentee considers, that from its beautiful 

 silky lustre, combined with considerable strength, it 

 is well adapted to form a substitute for linen. Mr. 

 Solly thought that many other means might be found 

 for effecting the object besides bleaching ; he also 

 suggested, as being worthy the attention of manufac- 

 turers, the possibility of the fibre being employed in 

 the manufacture of paper, as its strength would per- 

 haps be useful in combination with cotton and other 

 tender materials, or in the manufacture of paper for 

 particular purposes, when strength combined with 

 lightness is a desideratum. {Proceedings Royal 

 Asiatic Soc. 1841.) ^ 



WINCHESTER : 

 H. WOOLDRIDGE, PRINTER, HIGH-STREET. 



