284 aceount of Rufsian dyes. Sune 27. 
Galium verum, native of Scotland, and asperula tince 
torta, which is not I believe a native. of Scotland. 
In this operation there is some little variation from: 
their ordinary mode of simple decoction, as they first: 
make a thick infusion of the pounded root in warm. 
water, which, after standing to draw’ all night, is di- 
luted and boiled next morning, to make a stronger 
dye for the worsted. 
SCARLET. 
Their mode of giving this colour is the most curious: 
and complicated of any of their dyes as it seems to 
be extracted by fermentation. I fhould like to hear 
some of your ingenious correspondents on this, and the: 
first Rufsian dye, as well as upon the use of acids and 
allum in preparing cloth to receive and retain colours ; 
although I must own I suspect the sour quafs.in the: 
preparation to have no other operation than taking. 
up a colouring matter from the mofs, which, when 
communicated to the yarn or cloth, facilitates. their: 
taking on the dye. 
Origanum vulgare, 
Wild majoram, native of Scotland. They dry and 
pound the frefh gathered flowers of this plant, to one 
part of which they add one of the young leaves. of 
an apple tree, and throw the mixture into an aqueous: 
decoction of one-fourth part of malt, coolled down to 
the temperature of new milk; then, to induce fer- 
mentation, they add a little yeast, and keep it in a 
moderate heat till quite sour ;, when that is effected. 
they pour off the watery part, and dry the thick in 
the’ course of the night by fire, stirring the com- 
pound frequently during the procefs.. 
This dried: matter when powdered. and. boiled in; 
water, produces « searlet dye for woollen and linen, 
the: most beautiful of all their home dyed colours. 
