General chemical characteristics.—Pecto-cellulose.
Composition of raw fibre (H. Müller):—
| Cellulose | 75·83 | 62·50 |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and wax | ·20 | 0·56 |
| Aqueous extract | 6·29 | 9·76 |
| Pectous substances | 6·07 | 12·00 |
| Water | 8·74 | 9·55 |
| Ash | 2·87 | 5·63 |
Forms in which employed.—Up to the present the price has been prohibitive. Has been the subject of successful {52} experiments; imparts great tensile strength to paper. The portions available will be as in flax.
COMMON NETTLE.
The fibres of this plant were, in the olden times, separated in the same way as flax, and worked up into cloth. At present it has no practical interest to the paper-maker, but deserves attention at the hand of the student, as the most easily accessible for the purpose of study. It is, moreover, possible that, under cultivation, it may yet become a source of raw material for paper-making.
JUTE.
FIG. 9.
Microscopic features.—Compact bundles; fibres smooth.