Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, Fifth Series, No. 10, Vol. I, March 8, 1884

Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, Fifth Series, No. 10, Vol. I, March 8, 1884

Some little time ago, when one of our most distinguished botanists was asked his opinion about the desirability of forming a collection of all the vegetable substances which are or have been used in medicine both by civilised and savage races, he replied that it would take a large building to hold it. Although a series of fibre-yielding plants would be much less in number, the list would still be a long one, provided we knew all those in use by savage tribes. Very few of these, however, are extensively used for clothing. Putting aside wool and silk, which are animal products, we have only cotton and flax of prime importance. Hemp of fine quality is largely grown in Italy, and there woven into cloth for ordinary purposes; but as yet this use of hemp in other civilised countries appears to be limited, though the fibre is everywhere employed for cordage. With the exception of jute, which is chiefly made into coarse fabrics, all other vegetable fibres believed to be suitable for important textile industries may be said to be as yet only on their trial. But a numbersuch as the so-called New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax), Manila hemp (Musa textilis), pine-apple (Bromelia ananas), American aloe (Agave Americana), and some yielded by certain species of palmsare known to possess very valuable properties. We have omitted to mention any members of the Nettle tribeto which, however, the hemp-plant is closely alliedas we propose to say a few special words about them. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 65133
Author: Various
Release Date: Apr 22, 2021
Format: eBook
Language: English