Certain New Derivatives in the Aromatic Series. 173 



reliable of the inventions, have fallen into the reprehensible habit 

 of using those many fugitive derivatives of aniline with which the 

 market is flooded, because they are a little cheaper. All the colors 

 of the spectrum can now be made from the Coal-Tar Colors, and it 

 is perfectly possible to make them thoroughly reliable and fast — 

 fast to washing with hot and cold water, fast to acidulated water, 

 or alkaline water, and what is perhaps the supreme test of a color, 

 fast to the action of sunlight. If the dyers would conscientiously 

 use the really good dyes from coal-tar, and avoid the worthless ones 

 with which their trade is infested, the civilized part of the world 

 could compete successfully with those dyes used by the makers of 

 the Persian and Turkish carpets, in which the colors are as durable 

 as the rugs themselves. 



To-day it is a fact, that, in spite of the many valuable and reliable 

 dyes, many of the old-fashioned dyes are not driven out of the 

 market. The natural dyes are still used in immense quantities — 

 Indigo for blue, Logwood for slates and blacks, Cutch for browns. 

 Fustic for yellows, and Sumac for mode colors. Then there are the 

 ancient uses of iron nitrate to make buffs with alkalies ; the Prus- 

 sian blues from iron nitrate and prussiate ; the brown from manga- 

 nese and alkalies; and the yellow from lead acetate and bichromate; 

 all these are of daily application. In many cases it is a pity, and in 

 most instances it is a sad waste of more or less expensive chemi- 

 cals, but as yet, only in the case of cochineal and madder is the field 

 completely occupied by the artificial dyes. 



The writer cannot refrain from making one more observation 

 here. It is that the methods of dyeing are sure to undergo a 

 modification in the near future. Many dyes which now are made 

 for the works at the aniline mill or factory, will be made at the 

 works where the colors are applied to the fabric. As the patents 

 run out the number of colors available for manufacture at the 

 works will increase, and skilled color chemists will be as much a 

 requisite in works of repute, as the now omnipresent and some- 

 times omniscient Superintendent. This is not necessarily a factor 

 which will act to the detriment of the aniline manufactories, for 

 there will always be a demand for aniline dyes in the dry state; the 

 advantages of, and the necessities for the division of labor are too 

 apparent to be gainsaid ; but in large works there is a deal of saving 

 and small economies to be effected, and the most progressive and 

 enterprising establishments are sure to be the first to profit by the 



