Textile Fabrics. 651 
is found in the bark of trees left exposed to atmospheric 
influences, until separated into several layers of bast. It 
will be found, that though each layer is perfectly separate 
from the next, yet the fibres composing the layer are not 
in any way separated from each other, but form a con- 
tinuous broad ribbon, marking out very plainly that the 
substances ageglutinating the fibres together are entirely 
different from those which fermentation had rendered 
soluble. The same general substances doubtless exist in 
all fibrous barks, but the substances insoluble by fermen- 
tation will be found to be proportionally less in those which 
do not separate into many layers, consequently, the separa- 
tion by fermentation is more complete in the textile fibres. 
There is a further objection to be raised against fibres pre- 
pared by fermentation : the oxydized albumen which firmly 
adheres as a colouring matter, is difficult to bleach off, and 
thereby, loss of strength ensues. As a set-off against 
these objections, when the operation is well conducted, we 
have greatly superior strength and brilliance of cell— 
which may not, perhaps, be considered of much value in a 
half-accomplished separation—but enough to give a hope, 
that by this mode, much that is of primary importance 
may be effected after sufficient experiences are gained, in 
which we must investigate rather the action of fermenta- 
tion than the routine of operation on established bases. It 
is remarkable, that by exposure to fermentation, some 
fibres are rendered hard, and unable to be treated at all; 
these contain much resinous matter, which probably, under 
the treatment, becomes completely resinified. It will be 
seen, therefore, that this process, even if perfected, is only 
available for certain fibres. 
Super-heated steam, at 150 degrees centigrade, performs 
the réle of ferments, and of acids, as a converter into a 
soluble state of the substances which are sought to be re- 
moved from fibres. It likewise thoroughly softens and en- 
ables to be ridded, matters accidentally present—such as 
inner barks, &c., and will soften other substances not re- 
movable by water. But unfortunately, at that heat, cellu- 
lin is also, in proportion to its purity, gradually dissolved. 
Indeed, it is a mode of testing which has been long used 
to recognise vegetable from animal fibres. It does not 
appear that any adjuncts have any restraining influence in 
preventing the dissolution of cellulin; on the contrary, 
alkalies, acids, and the commonly known neutral salts, only 
increase its action. We therefore, again, obtain the de- 
NEW SERIES.—VOL. I. auc 
