NEW ZEALAND FLAX.
Microscopic characteristics.—Length of fibres, 9 mm., diameter 0·016 mm., ratio, 560. Fibres are fine, regular and smooth; the walls are uniform, central canal small, extremities vesicular. The fibres have little cohesion in the bundle. Sections round or polygonal. Illustrated in Fig. 4, p. [35].
Micro-chemical reaction.—Yellow, with iodine solution. Characteristic deep red colouration with concentrated nitric acid (Müller).
General chemical characteristic.—Ligno-cellulose. It contains 86·3 per cent. of cellulose.
MANILLA HEMP.
Microscopic characteristics.—Length of fibres, 6 mm.; diameter, ·024 mm.; ratio, 250. Fibres, white lustrous; the walls are uniform; central cavity large and very apparent. Fibres easily detached. {60}
Sections round or polygonal. Illustrated in Fig. 14: a, section of bundle of fibres; b, fibres seen longitudinally; c, ends; mag. 300.
FIG. 14.
Micro-chemical reaction.—Yellow with iodine solution.