For years chemists of America and Europe have endeavored to make a fiber which would compare favorably with silk. A number of so-called artificial silks have been made synthetically, but each has lacked some desired characteristic. One has not withstood moisture, another lacked strength, a third was not sufficiently pliable, and so on. It is only recently that a satisfactory fiber, which can be manufactured at a reasonable price, has been developed. The artificial silk now commonly found on the market is a collodian-like substance, made from cotton or wool fiber, put through capillary tubes, hardened in the air and so treated that it will withstand moisture. This fiber may be manufactured at a cost below that of pure silk, and has the promise of a great future.*

The artificial, or fiber, silk is used in many knitted sweaters, scarfs, dress braids, fancy ribbons and is combined with both pure silk and cotton. It may always be detected by its brilliancy and stiffness. If the burning test is used, artificial silk is found to burn with almost explosive rapidity. It also disintegrates if it comes in contact with water; but this deficiency is being gradually overcome by science.