SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
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-. The fibrous material. in.the mass is pale brown in colour, but-varies 
somewhat from, brown to white. Although called fibres, each filament 
is really a complex aggregate or bundle of “intimate fibres” just as a. 
piece of string is composed of a number of strands each of which, is 
again composed of individuals, fcthas, aes: eels 
i: The fibre bundles measure up to 8 or 9 inches in length. These 
bundles are composed of ordinary wood fibres, and are: true: vascular 
bundles. It is only the bundles of the leaf base and stem that remain 
for collection. The individual fibres are attached to each other through- 
out their whole length in the bundle, long and short ones being arranged 
indiscriminately. The bundle has a striated appearance, due to the 
lines of the individual fibres. 
The individual fibres are long, and spindle-shaped, with tapering 
awl-shaped ends. There is a wide lumen, and the walls are thin. The 
walls possess characteristic pits in double or single rows, mostly obliquely 
placed. There are swellings on the dorsal surfaces, averaging 4 to 6 
per fibre. The fibre ranges from 0.7 to 2.0 mm. in length, and about 
0.01 mm. in diameter. (Cotton fibre 20 — 40 mm. & .012 — .037 mm.) 
The subject-matter is divided into four main divisions, which deal 
with the fibre from a Botanical, Structural and Physical, and Chemical 
point of view, as well as its properties and qualities as a textile fibre. 
The sectional headings under these divisions will give a bird’s-eye view 
of the comprehensive nature of ‘the research work involved. Under 
Structural and Physical characteristics we find:—The dimensions and 
structure of the natural and prepared fibres; tensile strength, elasticity, 
and flexibility; specific gravity. Under the Chemical section there are?— 
Moisture determinations; ash analyses; decomposition by heat; cold and 
hot water washing; alkaline hydrolysis; acid purification; mercerization. 
Posidonia cellulose is then treated in some detail:—The yield, chemi- 
cal properties, varieties, and the value as a paper-making material. ‘It 
would appear that this cellulose differs from that derived from woods 
and lignified tissues, and inclines more to the straws and esparto, though 
readily distinguished from these. The material is quite suitable for 
making printing paper and the lower grades of writing paper provided 
‘certain economic conditions could be fulfilled, viz.:—(1) The cost of 
production of the fibre would have to be reduced to £4 per ton; and (2) 
a cheap supply of chlorine provided, to make use of the Kellner electro- 
lytic process for isolating the cellulose. The yield is approximately 55 
per cent. py * “ oe . 
Following this is an account of.the chemical nature of the fibre and 
its use after nitration, for the preparation of explosives. As regards the 
yield, it differs markedly from jute, and exhibits a similarity to wood. 
ae . 
scale production of explosives. 
The experiments indicate that it is not regarded as suitable for large- 
The dyeing properties are given for the various dyes used for wool 
and cotton. ,Lhe best results are derived from the “ acid violets,” whilst 
the “substantive cotton” and the “sulphide” dyes are unsuitable. 
The section on Posidonia Fibre as a textile material gives some 
interesting details of the increasing use of South Australian fibre as a 
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