the control stem, showing that the loss of matter has taken place in the 

 portion during retting. 



Pentosan and pentosan-free fil >er in both portions were determined 

 dio following results. 



Control stem. .. 

 Betted stem. .. 

 Difference 



From the table we observe that, in the bark portion, pentosan looses 

 about 50% and pentosan-free fiber about 30% in the retting process, while 

 in the woody portion hardly any loss has taken place. 



3. On the Chemical Nature of Gummy 

 Substance in Flax Stem. 



It has been shown in the previous experiments that the chief constituents 

 -of the flax stem changed or lost during the retting is the pentosan or gnmmy 



