ABSTRACT
THE Linen manufacture appears to have had its ongm among the Egyptians. The Flax plant was indigenous to Egypt, and, from the mention made of it in the Book of Exodus, we may infer that it was extensively cultivated in that country so early as the days of Moses. " And the Flax and the barley was smitten (by the plague of hail) ; for the barley was in the ear and the Flax was bolled." Four hundred years before this, however, we learn from the same authority, that Linen cloth of superior quality was worn by at least the higher orders of the Egyptians.
