Linen

(lin'ěn.) (Manuf.) Cloth made of flax (L. linum). In common L., the warp and woof cro each other at right angles; if figures are woven in, it is called damask. The species of goods which come under the denomination of L. are table-cloths, sheeting, cambric, lawn, shirting, towels, . The chief countries in which linens are manufactured are Ru ia, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Scotland, and Ireland. In the Middle Ages, L. and woollen cloth formed the only materials for dre ; and fine L. was held in very high estimation. In more ancient times, L. formed the dre of the Egyptian priests, who wore it at all their religious ceremonies. [s. 546]