SILK AND OTHER FIBRES.

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microscope in water. The ultimate fibres of Sizal will be found to separateeasily, those of Phormium with more difficulty, while it will require great careto prevent breaking those of Manilla; this latter fibre will require a muchlonger boiling to render separation easy. According to Captain Hutton’s table

Fig. ii.

Fig. io.

of measurements, the average length of the fibre of Phormium will be foundto be nearly twice that of the others ; while the average diameter is not morethan half that of Manilla, which is again much less than that of Sizal. Thecell wall of Phormium is also much thinner than that of either of the othertwo.