December li 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER 
215 
Fibre of flax, A; of cotton. B ; of wool, C j anil of silk, D ; placed side by side, so that their relative size and markings may be readily 
contrasted. The fibre or cells of cotton are manifestly much thinner and less resisting than those of the other substances. 
inflorescence, and cutting off tlie upper part. It is then 
collected in a vessel attached to the new end, and the daily 
discharge of the sap is facilitated by cutting a new slice 
every day. The fresh sap, called tarce, or toddy, is very 
refreshing; and, if allowed to evaporate, yields a deposit of 
coarse sugar, or jaggery. When fermented, it becomes a 
very excellent wine, and the most intoxicating of all tropical 
beverages. 
“ The size of woody fibre varies from one 150th to one 
3.100111 part of an inch, and is the largest in hot climates, 
for the reasons already indicated. 
11 The position of woody fibre is readily determined. It 
constitutes not only the stems of wooded trees, but is found 
in single bundles in the stems of delicate herbaceous plants, 
and may be readily seen there when the stem is torn across. 
In a similar manner it occupies the thin cuticle of herbs, 
and may be readily observed in the ridges, or veins, which 
run from the root upwards. It is also met with in 
the baric of all trees, in the veins of leaves and flowers, 
and even accompanying tlio spiral vessels into the fruit of 
plants." 
