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ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY.
Sepals 4 5, persistent, aestivation imbricated. Petals 4-5, hypogynous unguiculate, cadu-
cous, twisted in aestivation. Stamens equal in number to the petals and alternate with them,
united at the base to a hypogynous ring or torus, from which proceed little teeth opposite the
petals, indicating aboitive stamens. Anthers ovate, erect, introrse. Ovary with about as many
cells as sepals, seldom fewer, styles as many as the cells. Stigmas capitate, capsule, generally
pointed with the hardened base of the style, several celled, each celt partially divided into two
by an imperfect spurious dissepiment, and opening by two valves at the apex. Seeds single in
each cell, compressed, inverted, albumen usually present. Embryo straight, fleshy, with the
radicle pointing to the hilum. Cotyledons flat.
Affinities. These are still sub-judice, one set of Botanists viewing the order as more nearly allied to Can/ophyllaceae and Malvaceae, while another considers it as little else than a section of Geraniaceae. The objection to this last arrangement, advanced by Dr. Lindley, the want namely of the gynobase, seems to me a very strong one, and in the absence of that I can- not see any other very evident relationship, by which the order approaches nearer the one set of orders than the other, and look upon DeCandolle's opinion, that it is an order intermediate between and having affinities with Caryophyllaceae, Malvaceae, and Geraniaceae, between the two first of which he places it, as well founded.
Dr. Lindley places Lineae in his Calycose group between Elatineae and Hugoneaceae, to both of which they are obviously allied.
Geographical Distribution. Species of the genus Linum are found in all the four quarters of the globe, but most abundant in Europe and the northern parts of Africa. Three are met with in the Peninsula of India, but perhaps one of these, L. usitalissimvm,, introduced, though that is uncertain now. Mr. Royle mentions some others which he found at the foot of the Himalayas, and at moderate elevations on them. The whole number enumerated by DeCandolle in his Prodromus is 54, Don in his edition has extended them to 77, but whether these are all good species may be doubted.
Properties and Uses. Flax the produce of the bark of the Linum usitatissimum , has been known and highly valued from a very remote period, on account of the beautiful cloth of which it forms the bases. In modern times, though less extensively employed now that the cheaper and more pleasant, but less durable, cotton cloths have come into general use, it still holds its place on account the strength and delicacy of the numerous and beautiful fabrics into which it is converted, among which may be mentioned the various kinds of Linen, Cambrics, Lace, &c. The preparation of the flax to procure it of the best quality is one requiring much care, and what seems remarkable has but recently attracted the attention and attained that degree of perfection which its commercial importance merits. The steeping or watering of flax, a process which injures its quality is still in general use. A modern improvement is, to steep the plant, whether green and fresh from the field, or after it has been dried and stacked for months, for a few hours in hot water and soft soap, which is said to separate the fibre from the woody matters better, than many days steeping in the usual way, and without rotting or deteriorating its quality. Great improvements have also been made in the machinery for cleaning flax, by which the process is greatly expedited, and a finer material produced, as will be seen in the following extract from Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Agriculture, giving some account of the method.
"Lees' method of breaking flax and hem.p, without dew-retting, was invented in 1810, and was the first step towards a great improvement, brought nearer perfection by the new patent machines of Messrs. Hill and Bundy.
Hill and Bundy's machines are portable, and may be worked in barns or any kind of out- house, they are also well calculated for parish workhouses and charitable institutions, a great part of the work being so light that it may be done by children and infirm persons, and such is the construction and simplicity of the machines, that no previous instruction or practice is required, their introduction, therefore, into those asylums would be the means of effecting a considerable reduction of the poor's rate. The woody part is removed by a very simple machine, and, by passing through a machine equally simple, the flax may be brought to any degree of fineness, equal to the best used in France and the Netherlands, for the finest lace and cambric. The original length of the fibre, as well as its strength, remains unimpaired, and the difference
