long, very strong, and fine
to the touch, and is in great demand. In fact, it controls the market.

"Next to Mitafifi, Bamia is perhaps the most extensively cultivated
variety in Lower Egypt. It was discovered by a Copt in 1873. The plant
is of large size and course growth. It is later and less hardy than
Mitafifi, and the fibre is poor as compared with that of Mitafifi and
Abbasi, light and brown in colour, and not very strong. In general, it
may be said that this variety is inferior to Mitafifi in yield,
hardiness and length and strength of fibre."

=Other places where Cotton is grown.=--In Africa, on the eastern and
western coasts, large quantities of cotton are produced. The following
countries are specially suitable to the growth of cotton: Soudan,
Senegambia, Congo River, Free States, and Liberia. Possibly, when these
districts are more opened up to outside trade, and European capital and
labour are expended, abundant supplies of cotton fibre will be given.

Cotton is also grown in the East Indies, at Java, Sumatra, and Malay
States.

In the West Indies formerly, large supplies were yielded, but owing to
the cultivation of other crops that of cotton has steadily declined.

Greece and Turkey both yield cotton which goes by the name of Levant
Cotton.

CHAPTER IV.

THE MICROSCOPE AND COTTON FIBRE.

This story would be very incomplete if some reference were not made to
the wonderful assistance which has been given to the study of cotton
fibre by the microscope. As seen by its help, some striking
peculiarities at once make themselves apparent. It is proposed, briefly,
in this chapter, to do three things:

1. To describe the construction of a suitable instrument sufficient
for a complete examination of fibres in general.

2. To indicate the chief microscopic features of cotton fibres.

3. To show how to exactly measure the lengths and diameters of
fibres by means of micrometers.

First, as to the instrument: a good substantial stand is desirable, one
that will not readily vibrate. The microscope shown in Fig. 6 is a cheap
and commendable form, and good work can be done by this instrument,
which is made by Ross, London. The stand carries the body-tube, and at
the lower end is placed the objective, so called, because the image of
the object (which rests upon the stage as shown) under examination is
first focussed by it and conveyed along the body-tube.

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