DYES. 297 
19. Hymenanthera dentata, #.Br., (Syn.. H. Banksit, F.v.M.); 
N.O., Violacez, B.FI., i., 104; A. Banksii in Muell., Cens., 
p. 6. 
Dr. Ludwig Beckler drew attention to the lasting purple 
pigment obtainable from the berries of this plant. 
Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. 
20. Indigofera tinctoria, Linn., N.O., Leguminosz, Muell. Cens., 
p- 140. 
“Indigo.” 
Baron Mueller considers this plant indigenous in Northern 
Queensland. It is alsoanative of the East Indies, and other parts 
of Asia. Indigo is prepared by throwing bundles of the fresh- 
cut plants into shallow vats and covering them with water, care 
being taken to keep them under the surface. After steeping for 
ten or twelve hours the liquid is run off into another vat, and the 
plant is beaten with sticks or bamboos from one and a half to 
three hours, in order to promote the formation of the blue 
colouring matter, which does not exist already formed in the 
tissues of the plant, but is formed by the oxidation of other 
substances contained in them. The colouring matter is then 
allowed to settle, the precipitation being accelerated by the 
addition of a small quantity of clean cold water, or lime-water, 
and the supernatant liquid drawn off and thrown away, while the 
deposited matter is put into a boiler, and kept at the boiling-point 
for five or six hours. After this, it is spread upon frames covered 
with cloth, and allowed to drain for twelve or fourteen hours, and 
when it is sufficiently solid it is pressed, cut into cubes, stamped 
and dried for the market. (TZreasury of Botany.) (See, also, 
Watts’ Dict., iii., 250, et seq.) 
Queensland. 
21. Mallotus discolor, 7.v.17, (Syn. Rottlera discolor, F.v.M.; 
Macaranga mallotoides, var., F.v.M.); N.O., Euphorbiacee, 
B.FI., vi.. 143. 
‘‘Bungaby ” of the aboriginals of Northern New South Wales. 
