174 ORD. IX. Stellate. “RUBIA TINCTORUM. 
branches stand in pairs at the articulations of the stalk, and upon. 
their various subdivisions produce small terminal flowers of a 
yellow colour: the calyx is divided at the mouth into four teeth: 
the corolla is small, bell-shaped, and cut at the extremity into four 
oval segments: the filaments are four, short, and support simple 
erect anthere : the germen is double, and placed below the corolla: 
‘the style is slender, and at the top divides into two globular 
stigmata: the fruit consists of two round berries, each containing 
an oval seed, with a cavity at its smaller extremity. It is a native 
of the South of Europe, and flowers in June. 
Madder is frequently mentioned by the Greek writers, whovem- 
ployed its roots with the same medicinal intentions for which they 
now are recommended by most of the modern writers on the Materia 
Medica. Our knowledge of the first cultivation. of this plant in 
England is from Gerard;* and though an. extensive cultivation of 
Madder in Britain seems to promise considerable advantage both 
to the planter and to the nation, yet we. find, that the great quantity 
of Madder roots used here. by the Diers, and Callico-printers, has 
~ been for many years almost wholly the growth and export of 
Holland” Madder appears to differ from other substances used for 
the | purpose of dying, in having the peculiar property®* of tinging 
with a ftori ir not only the milk, urine, &c.* ‘even the 
bones of those animals which have fed upon it; a circumstance 
* Vide Hort, Kew. > Milley Diet. in which is also given a full account of the 
cultivation of this plant. But we are happy to observe, that by the laudable endea- 
vours of the Society for the Encowragement of Arts, &c. considerable quantities. of 
English Madder have been produced, and found as good at least, if not better than 
any imported, See Fransactions, p. 10. vol. é.- 
* Some other plants of the same natural order (Stellite ) have also the effect of 
tinging the bones, as the Galium Mollugo and Aparine. Vide Guettard Mem..de 
Ac. de“Sc. a. 1746 & TAT. And the Valantia cructata.. Bihmer Diss, de rad. 
rub. tinét. p. 42. 
© Béhmer also found the serum vot the bload reddened by the Madder. Diss. rad 
rub, tint, &c. p. 13. And Levret observes, that it sometimes tinged the excretion 
by the skin. Sur les —— p- 278. 
+ 
