Excerpt: The technical literature of the natural fibers covers a very wide scope and is peculiarly complex. The natural fibers are exceedingly numerous. Our understanding and evaluation of their behavior are based on knowledge gained from diverse fields, including botany, biology, geography, and economics, as well as the many different branches of chemistry and physics. The literature reflects also many historical aspects, for a number of the crafts practiced through the centuries are the basis for modern textile technology and science. Therefore, if we are to know our fibers and to use them wisely, it is necessary to consider and attempt to correlate the influences of the various fields [of science] on their constitution, properties, and performance