281 
since published, 
table : — 
I refer to his results in the following 
COMPOSITION OF THE INORGANIC MATTERS OF THE CROP OF FLAX. 
100 parts of the ash of flax straw and the capsule, 
without the seed. 
Ash of straw. Ash of capsule. 
20.32 16.38 
2.07 6.25 
9.27 12.98 
19.88 13.95 
4.05 3.94 
2.83 0.38 
7.13 14.51 
23.26 
6.37 
Potassa 
Soda 
Chloride of sodium 
Lime 
Magnesia 
Oxide of iron 
Sulphuric acid 
Phosphoric acid 10.24 
Carbonic acid 10.72 
Silica 12.80 
0.67 
99.31 99.66 
Dr. Hodges, by constant reference to an experimental 
crop, has ~been enabled to give some very valuable results. 
He finds that the fresh plant, distilled with salt and water, 
yields a peculiar volatile oil, of a yellow colour, having an 
agreeable penetrating odour, like that of the atmosphere of a 
room storing flax. About five pounds of the plant yield 
about ten grains of the oil. By bruising the straw and 
macerating with successive solvents, as ether, alcohol, acids, 
&c, the proximate constitution of fresh straw of flax may be 
thus stated — 
Volatile oil of flax. 
A fixed or fatty oil. 
Traces of chlorophylle. 
A peculiar green resin. 
A gum resin. 
A modification of tannic acid 
(precipitating per salts of 
iron grey, but not affecting 
some other tests.) 
A peculiar gum, not affected by 
borax or silicated potassa. 
A brown colouring matter. 
Albumen. 
Casein. 
Starch. 
Pectine. 
Cellulose, and various salines. 
