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Drummondiane. N. O. Droseraces. 
LAD: CCCLA XX IS. 
Drosera STOLONIFERA. Endl. 
Radice tuberosa, foliis radicalibus spathulatis rosulatis, stoloni- 
bus e basi procumbente adscendentibus, foliis suborbiculatis 
petiolatis quaternim verticillatis scapum racemoso-panicula- 
fum equantibus, calycibus glabris. Endlich. En. Pl. Nov. 
Holl, p. 5. 
Haz. Swan River; Hlugel, Mr James Drummond. 
Endlicher appears only to have seen this curious Drosera des- 
titute of the tuber at the base of the root. This is as large as a 
good-sized nut, and stains the paper of the herbarium with a 
- Most beautiful purple dye. Professor Lindley observes of the 
Droseraceous plants of the Swan River settlement, that “ they 
appear likely to be in some cases of commercial value as dyers’ 
plants, Every part of D. gigantea stains paper of a brilliant 
deep purple, and when fragments are treated with ammonia they 
yield a clear yellow. The bulbs of D. erythrorhiza and stoloni- 
Sera possess the same property; in these there is a deep scarlet 
Powder secreted by the scales of the bulbs, which is instantly 
dissolved in ammonia, forming at first an orange-coloured fluid 
of great richness, but it soon changes to the rich purple above 
Mentioned, which is more like the colour obtained from Archil 
than any thing else to which I can compare it. Possibly ene 
bulbs are what Dr Milligan speaks of under the name of § boom, 
Which he says are scarlet roots, not unlike in shape or size to 
tulip roots. « They roast them in the ashes, and then pound 
them between two flat stones, rubbing the latter with a ball of 
earth to prevent the root adhering to it: when thus prepared 
they are mucilaginous, and of a glossy black colour; they oe 
considered the bread of the natives who live near the cee? 
If so, they may be easily enough obtained for the sgn 
€XPortation, and may assist the poorer settlers in turning to 
Count the produce of their land.” 
