325 Extrad of a Memoir on the 
When the colour is too weak, the Levantines know how 
to ftrenethen it by increafing the dofe of the colouring fub- 
_flances; and when they withhite give it brightnefs and fplen- 
dour, they employ different roots of the country, and, in par-, 
ticular, one named /afazri, {fpecimens of which I have fent to _ 
France. 
’ The ali-zari, which is the principal colouring matter em- 
ployed in the Greek dye-houfes, is collected in Natohia, 
and is brought to Greece from Smyrna: fome of it comes 
alfo from Cyprus and Mefopotamia. The fuperiority of this a 
Levantine plant to the European madder is acknowledged by — 
all thofe acquainted with the art of dyeing and may arife 
from two caufes; the manner in which it is cultivated, and 4 
the method employed for its deficcation. ‘ 
As the ali-zari appears to be of a weaker conftitution than 
the common madder+ as its branches are more delicate, its 
Jeaves fmoother and tenderer, and its ftem more fragile, it 
is fupported by fticks, as peafe are among us. <A well nou- 
rifhed ftem acquires in this manner more confiftence, and 
fends forth more roots. It is to be obferved, that it is the 
woody part of the roots which affords the greateft quantity of 
colouring particles. The ali-zari is not colleéted till the — 
fifth or fixth year, that is to fay, when it has aequired its 7 
full ftrength ; while in France and Zealand, where land is of 
more value than in the Levant, the inhabitants with to reap 7 
too foon, and collect the madder before it comes to complete 
maturity. 
The method employed in the deficcation contributes alfo 3 
to improve the quality of the ali-zari. The Levantines dry © 
it in the open air; and this operation is eafy na country 
where great drynefs prevails in he atmofphere, while, in our # 
damp Anoatees we are obliged to dry the madder by foves. 
Hence it happens that the {moke, which mixes itfelf with } 
the cold air, and penctrates the rocts, impreenates them with he 
fuliginous particles, which alter the colouring fabftance; an 
accident which does not take place when the madder is dried’ 
‘without the affiftance of fire. It is, however, poffible, that ~ 
the ali-zari and’ madder may never produce the fame tone of — 
colour, notwithftanding all the care that may be employed 
eas. 6 in 
