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Of the Red Pigment called Carucru or Chica. By John 

 Hancock, M . D. Communicated by the Author. 



X HIS is a fecula procured in the manner of indigo, from a 

 species of Bignonia. The plant producing it is chiefly found 

 towards the head of Essequibo, Parima, and Rio Negro, where 

 it is known by the name of Chica. 



There is one of these, a large extended vine, growing in Ta- 

 pacoma ; and that is the only one I know of on the eastern part 

 of Guiana. It there grows extremely frondose, and climbs to 

 the tops of the highest trees. This shews that it might be cul- 

 tivated in Guiana to any desirable extent. 



When you break a branch, the leaves, on drying, become al- 

 most of a blood red ; and it yields its paint or fecula, I believe, 

 in tolerable quantity, or in greater proportion, than is got off in- 

 digo from the Anil. 



The chief manufactory of the carucru is amongst the Ta- 

 rumas, a numerous and industrious tribe of Indians, who in- 

 habit the eastern branch of the Essequibo, near its source. 



According to the description given us by the Caribs, who are 

 great travellers, and well acquainted with the Tarumas, the 

 plant is manufactured much in the manner of indigo. The 

 leaves are pounded and infused in water till a fermentation en- 

 sues. The hquor is next poured off and left to deposite a sedi- 

 ment. This sediment is collected, and forms the carucru 

 paint. 



It is seldom mixed with impurities. I believe the carucru, 

 which is produced by the Tarumas, at the head of Essequibo, 

 is usually much finer than that which comes down the Orinooko 

 from the Rio Negro. 



They put it up very neaily in little caskets made with palm 

 leaves *. Hence, it is carried by the Atorayas and the trading 



• The same Indians (the Tacumas) are the fabricators of those curious 

 Cassada graters, which are considered superior to all others by those acquaint- 

 ed with them. They are made of a very hard wood, studded over with 

 pointed silicious stones, and fixed by a kind of cement and varnish of sur- 

 prising durability ; the substance being at the same time a strong cement and 



