744 ON THE VOLCANO OF TAAL, 



BIXTNE^E. 



16. BiXA ORELLANA, L. Achiote, a name given to it by the 

 Spaniards, Roucou in French, Arnatto in English, Daun-Galinguni 

 in Malay. A cultivated plant introduced by the Spaniards from 

 the noi'th-west coast of Mexico, and extending down to the Brazils, 

 where the name Uruku accounts for the French etymology. At 

 the time of the discovery of America, it was used by the natives 

 to stain their bodies red, and the Mexicans in painting. The 

 Mexican name Achiotl is the origin of the Spanish term. The 

 plant is highly valued at the Philippines, and much in use. It 

 forms an agreeable condiment as well as coloring matter, especially 

 in chocolate and pillaws of rice with " pimento," and in sou^ts. 

 It is valued also medicinally. No doubt it has warm stimulant 

 qualities. On certain occasions the Indians still use it, mixed with 

 lemon juice, to dye the skin. With alkalis the tint is changed to 

 bright orange. The bark of the tree is in request for its fibre, and 

 is used for a common sort of rope, while the soft tissue of the wood 

 makes it a favourite material for procuring fire by friction. The 

 juice is said likewise to be an antidote to the poisonous juice of 

 the root "Alanihotor Cassava." The drug Arnotta is prepared 

 from the red pulp covering the seeds. This is extracted and 

 macerated in a wooden vessel, with enough hot water to suspend 

 the red pulp. By diligent stirring and pounding this is separated 

 from the seeds, or gradually washed off with a spatula. When tlie 

 seeds are clean they are taken out, and, when the wash is settled, 

 the water is poured off and the sediment put into shallow vessels 

 to dry slowly in the shade It is then made into balls and set to 

 dry in an airy place till it is quite firm. Some first pound the 

 fruit with wooden pestles ; then steep them in water for six days. 

 This liquor is passed through four series of sieves, and the result 

 left to ferment for a week ; then boiled until pretty thick, and 

 afterwards made up into balls, and wrapped in leaves. Good 

 Arnotto is fiery red, bright within, soft to the touch, and entirely 

 soluble in water. See Don, Vol. I. p. 293. In a non-alkaline 

 solution it is used to give leather particular tints. 



