called Carucru or Chica. 285 



Hitherto very little of the chica, I presume, has reached 

 Europe; and very few experiments liave been tried for the so- 

 lution and application of the colouring principle. I feel strong- 

 ly prepossessed, however, that the carucru might be applied to 

 useful purposes in dyeing, but I can say nothing positive on this 

 point, having made no experiments with it as a dye, — nor havino- 

 discovered its chemical properties any farther than above men- 

 tioned. 



It would be extremely interesting, by proper chemical agents, 

 to find a solvent which should not injure the colour, and also 

 a method of applying it either with or without a mordant — with 

 a view to employ it like indigo as a dye, as well as a pig- 

 ment. 



It is certain that it might be abundantly procured by plant- 

 ing and manufacturing it in Guiana, where the specimens I 

 have alluded to prove the soil to be most congenial to its growth, 

 or by sending it up the Essequibo. In the mean time, the 

 finest quality may be had of the Taruma Indians. 



The chica is not merely esteemed as a pigment, but is con- 

 sidered in the Orinooko as the most sovereign remedy for 

 erysipelas, where that complaint is very prevalent. I never, 

 indeed, witnessed its use myself; but, from the strong terms 

 in which I have heard many people speak of its efficacy in 

 their own cases and those of others, I cannot but consider it as 

 a remedy well established, and worthy of further attention. It 

 is simply made with water into a paste, thinly spread on old 

 linen or cotton, and applied as a plaster, so as to entirely cover 

 the inflamed part. They say that one application is sufficient^ 

 unless the disease be far advanced. 



I have also heard it mentioned as an internal remedy, but in 

 what case or what complaint I do not now remember. 



Report on the Impi-ession made on the Ground by the Foot of 

 the Sow. By Messrs Robert Spittal and Robert Ste- 

 venson junior. 



In compliance with a wish expressed at the last meeting of the 

 Wernerian Society, that the question as to the impression made 

 on the ground l)y the foot of the sow, in relation to Dr Flem- 



JUI.Y OCTOUKR 1829. U 



