LINEÆ.

IF

(Common Flax.)

Linum Usitatissimum.

LAX was introduced into Egypt and used for linen at a period so far back that it is beyond the knowledge of man. It grows wild in most European countries and is found eastward as far as China. Notwithstanding the Egyptian fabrics were remarkable, their excellence has been much exaggerated, and they did not equal either in fineness or beauty similar fabrics of the present day. The sculptures on the monuments have preserved for us a very complete representation of the whole process of preparing the linen, from the time the flax was growing to the period of its preparation for wearing. The word is first used in Ex. ix. 31, in connection with the terrible hailstorm in Egypt which destroyed the flax and barley, the former being just "bolled," or in the seed. From its mention in connection with barley we may rightfully infer that the time of gathering the flax in Egypt was about the 1st of April. During the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert, the flax could not have been planted so as to come to perfection in time to be gathered before they would be required to remove; and they therefore obtained their linen from their neighbors or from travelling caravans and merchants. Yet, on their entrance into Palestine, Rahab, in

Jericho, hid the spies sent by Joshua under flax on the housetop, which proved that it had been introduced into the land before the arrival of the Israelites. The flax after preparation was twisted around the end of a stick, called the distaff, from which it was drawn and fastened to the end of a short spindle. This spindle, when rapidly whirled by the fingers, twisted the thread. This method of making woollen and linen thread is still pursued in many parts of the East and in Europe among the peasantry. It is frequently represented on Roman and other ancient marbles, and is referred to by Solomon in Prov. xxxi. :-"She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff." The finest linen came from Egypt, notwithstanding it was spun and woven in Palestine, Greece, and Italy. Accordingly, the Egyptian fabric commanded a high price; and one of the proofs of the luxury of Tyre mentioned by the prophet Ezekiel is seen in the fact that the ships of Tyre were furnished with sails of the fine linen of Egypt; and among the denunciations by the prophet Isaiah (xix. 9) it was mentioned that "the Egyptian workers of fine flax should be confounded,"-this being the distinguishing art of the land and a source of its wealth. The rich desired to obtain the finest linen, which always commanded the highest price: hence, as a token of the luxury and wealth of the rich man spoken of in Luke xvi. 19, it is said he was clothed in purple and "fine linen."

Linen was worn among the priests, both in Egypt and in Palestine, and was supposed to be preferable to woollen, because it did not harbor vermin, which could not be said of any other

fabric worn at that time. Whatever may be the truth, it is certain that the Jewish priests were always accustomed to wear it. When Samuel was presented by his mother to wait upon old Eli in the temple, he was clothed with a linen ephod. So likewise, when David danced for joy that the ark was recovered, he performed a religious ceremony, and, according to the custom, clothed himself with a linen ephod. Thus it appears that linen formed the most important fabric for clothing. The wealthy sought for it, the priests required it, the merchants used it, and the dead were buried in it.

UMBELLIFERÆ.

Bubon Galbanum.

HIS gum bears some resemblance in smell and in medicinal qualities to assafoetida, but in a much more modified degree of offensiveness. It exudes from the branches of a plant, and was used as one of the four “sweet spices" in the holy perfume of Ex. xxx. 34, where alone it is mentioned. In view of the seeming incongruity of calling by the name of "a sweet spice" a gum which smelled somewhat like assafoetida, it should be remembered that the compound perfume would differ from any of its ingredients, and, moreover, that this perfume was to be placed in the tabernacle of the congregation,-where the object probably was to counteract the odors which would always in some degree arise from the animal sacrifices, and from the sprinkling of blood which took place at this tabernacle of the congregation, as recorded in Numb. xix. 4. The smell of such a gum would neutralize other odors more effectually than would the perfume of those of a milder and sweeter nature. Eastern nations, however, differ from Occidental in regard to the choice of perfumes and as to what constitutes the agreeable or disagreeable. A lady who visited India writes that, on entering a temple in Chimchore, the priests presented her with almonds and raisins. sprinkled with assafoetida as rendering them more acceptable; for in India that drug is chewed as a luxury.