The best way to distinguish a cotton cloth from a worsted cloth is to unravel the edge, and if of cotton it will have a wiry appearance; worsted is soft and woolly. But if there is any doubt, hold the threads over a lighted lamp beyond the flame; if of worsted, they will shrivel up and burn into a black cinder; if of cotton, they will remain stiff till they get red hot, when they will burn into a white ash.