282 
The following table will be very useful, and interesting to 
show the power of different solvents on the flax plants, to 
extract these different substances : — 
Grains. 
1. Soluble matter in ether 2.83 
2. Soluble in absolute alcohol 3.52 
3. Soluble in water 5.92 
4. Soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid 22.76 
5. Soluble in dilute caustic potassa 16.39 
6. Cellulose and salts 48.58 
100. 
Dr. Hodges also gives the weight of the flax plant at 
different ages of its growth. Thus, on the 28th of April, 
1851, the young plants appeared above the ground; on the 
10th of August a plant is thus described — 
Entire length, with root, 37 inches. 
From surface of soil to branches, 29 inches. 
The stem light straw colour. 
The leaves withered, and attached on 10 inches of stem. 
Capsules, 10. 
Seeds, green. 
Weight of entire plant, 71 grains. 
Weight of branches and capsules, 31.8 grains. 
Water in plant, 45,336 grains. 
Solid matter of plant, 25.665 grains. 
Inorganic matter of plant, 1,066. 
PEB CENTAGE COMPOSITION OF FLAX. 
Fresh plant. Dry. 
Water 63.852 
Organic matters 34,732 96.08 
Ash 1.416 3.92 
100. 100. 
On August 25th, the crop was pulled; one plant was 
taken : — 
Grains. 
Weight of entire plant 62.40 
Do. capsules 22.50 
