88 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
Cut down through the stigma and ascertain that it leads 
to an ovary in which the ovules may be plainly seen. 
There will be no difficulty in finding well-formed fruit on 
the same flower-cluster. Notice that this consists of an 
elongated three-angled capsule. Cut the capsule across 
and observe the three cells in which the seeds are packed. 
The great number of closely packed seeds are best seen in 
the ripened fruit. 
The Leaf. Examine a leaf. Notice the sword-like 
shape with pointed apex, and the thick keel or mid-rib 
extending from end to end. Observe the lighter colour of 
the under surface, the reddish margin, the red stripe on 
the under surface marking the position of the mid-rib, and 
the parallel venation of the blade. Compare the venation 
with that of the Iris or Flag-lily, the Gladiolus and the 
common Cabbage Tree (Cordylene Australis), all of which 
belong to the same natural order of plants as the native 
flax, . 
Scrape the surface of the leaf with a knife-blade, gradually 
removing the soft green spongy tissue both above and 
below, and observe the light-yellow fibres underneath. 
Test for strength and ascertain that these will resist a 
strong pull, especially when twisted. Notice how. easily 
the leaf can be split if torn lengthwise, arid the difficulty of 
tearing it across. Elicit that the fibres run in the direction 
of the length of the leaf—also the use of the fibre—for 
making rope and twine. 
The formation of the fibre is very like that of the 
Manilla hemp; but it is much coarser than the fibre of 
Russian hemp, or of that of the Dutch or Irish flax. 
Propagation. The best and easiest way to propagate 
the plant is to remove the young buds as soon as they are 
rooted, and then plant them out. If the conditions are 
favourable they will grow with rapidity when once 
