42 
LINUM USITATISSIMUM. 
Spec. Char. Calyxes and Capsules pointed. Petals notchedi^ 
Leaves lanced, alternate. Stem solitary. 
This species of Linum is an annual, flowering in June and July, 
and much cultivated in most parts of Europe, but more particularly 
in the West. According to the general mode of cultivation, this 
plant seldom rises above twelve or eighteen inches ; but when allowed 
more room, and on a rich soil, it will often exceed two or three feet 
in height.* The rowt is annual ; the stem erect, round, smooth, 
and branched towards the top; the branches are simple, alternate, 
and terminated by the flowers, which are solitary, and of a sky blue ; 
the leaves are lance-shaped, acute, sessile, smooth, glaucous, ver- 
tical, and alternately scattered over the stalk and branches ; the 
calyx is divided into five semi-lance-shaped segments, slightly fringed 
with small hairs ; the corolla is composed of five petals, which are 
obovate, striated, and slightly notched ; the filaments are five, taper- 
ing, upright, about the length of the calyx, and crowned with sim- 
ple antherae ; the germen is oval ; the five styles are filiform, erect, 
and of the length of the filaments, and furnished with blunt stig- 
mata ; the capsule is globular, and pointed, divided into five valves 
and ten cells ; the seeds are solitary, glossy, and of a flattish oval 
shape. 
The Linum Usitatissimum, as the name implies, is the most useful 
of the Linum tribe, f and the one generally cultivated for the pre- 
paration of flax. § 
Botanists are not agreed as to whether this species is a native of 
Britain. Curtis, in his Flora Londinensis, says, " The few species 
" which we find occasionally among rubbish, and in corn fields, par- 
*' ticularly in the neighbourhood of Battersea, have doubtless been 
*' introduced there with the produce of the garden or corn fields." 
Mr. Hudson, however, speaks of it as a common plant in Dorset 
and Devon, and entertains no doubt of its being indigenous. This 
species of the Linum is generally supposed to have been introduced 
d. A section of the pericarp, shewing the cells and seed. e. The stamina. /. The 
pistillum. 
* It is remarked by Haseiqulst , that in Egypt this plant rises, with a strong stem, to 
the height of four feet. Resa til lid, Lnndet. p, 462, 
Twenty-six species are enumerated in the Hortus Cantabrigiensis. 
§ The Linum Perenne, and Linum Bienne, are likewise cultivated for manufacturing 
of liaen. 
