STRANGER: Then suppose that you define the warp and the woof, for I

think that the definition will be of use to you.

YOUNG SOCRATES: How shall I define them?

STRANGER: As thus: A piece of carded wool which is drawn out lengthwise

and breadthwise is said to be pulled out.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Yes.

STRANGER: And the wool thus prepared, when twisted by the spindle, and

made into a firm thread, is called the warp, and the art which regulates

these operations the art of spinning the warp.

YOUNG SOCRATES: True.

STRANGER: And the threads which are more loosely spun, having a softness

proportioned to the intertexture of the warp and to the degree of force

used in dressing the cloth,--the threads which are thus spun are called

the woof, and the art which is set over them may be called the art of

spinning the woof.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true.

STRANGER: And, now, there can be no mistake about the nature of the part

of weaving which we have undertaken to define. For when that part of the

Statesman