498 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



lake cities of Switzerland ; the mummy- cloth of ancient Egyp- 

 tian tombs is also composed of flax fibre. According to Pliny 

 flax formed an article of import from Egypt to Greece and 

 Eome. From that time it has been extensively cultivated 

 in the Northern temperate zone, growing as well in Northern 

 Eussia as in the hot valley of the Nile. It is cultivated in 

 this country, but more extensively in Ireland ; the supply, 

 however, falls far short of the demand, and large quantities 

 are imported from Eussia and other parts of Europe, as well 

 as from the United States. The seeds are also an important 

 article of commerce, shiploads being brought from the 

 Eussian ports in the Black Sea and from the Baltic for the 

 purpose of obtaining linseed oil. The compressed refuse 

 forms the oil-cake used for feeding cattle. In Scotland flax 

 is called lint. L. tngymim, native of East Indies, and L. ar- 

 boreum, of Candia, are pretty yellow-flowered greenhouse 

 shrubs. L. perenne is very like the common flax, but has 

 shrublet perennial roots. L. ruhrum is a showy garden 

 annual, native of Algeria, and L. monogymim^ a white-flower- 

 ing perennial, native of New Zealand. Four species of 

 Linum and Radiola millegrana, called Allseed, a small trail- 

 ing shrublet, are the representatives of the family in this 

 country. 



The Pink Family. 



(Caryophyllace^. ) 



Herbs or soft frutlets, with knotty stems. Leaves oppo- 

 site, entire, sometimes very small, heath or grass-like, often 

 sheathing or embracing the stem. Flowers solitary, or in 

 spikes or panicles. Calyx consisting of 4 or 5 distinct sepals, 

 or united. Petals 4 or 5, entire or 2-lobed. Stamens 4, 5, 

 8, or 10. Pistils 2 to 5. Fruit a 2- or 5-valved capsule, 

 rarely a berry. 



This extensive family, which consists of more than 1000 

 species, is widely distributed, abounding in the Northern 

 hemisphere, and in elevated regions within the tropics, being 

 a race of cold-loving plants. 



