Linseed

Linseed, the seed of the flax (q.v.), one of tbc most valuable of oil seeds. About 16,000,000 bushels. are imported annually, chiefly from the East Indies, the Russian seed being smaller. The seed is either brown, white, or red. When crushed the seeds yield about 38 per cent. of linseed oil, a valuable drying oil, much used in paints and varnishes and in making oil-cloth and printing-ink. When cold-drawn it is more viscid than when hot drawn. The four chief commercial varieties are raw, refined, artists', and boiled. The refuse oil-cake after the oil is expressed is a most valuable and fattening food for cattle. The mucilaginous testa of the seeds makes them useful for poultices, and as an emollient tea.