PAPER MANUFACTURE. 305 



about twenty days at a time, but he makes the 

 paper himself from the above preparation made 

 into cakes. These are picked in pieces and put 

 in a cistern of clear water. The manufacturer 

 sits on the edge, and immerses a wooden frame 

 upon which is spread a fine roll of thin slips of 

 bamboo, opened out by means of two pieces of 

 wood at either side. Upon this the particles 

 are allowed to settle, and the lateral pieces of 

 wood being removed, tlie bamboo roll is in- 

 verted upon a clean board, and being rolled up 

 leaves the sheet of paper upon the board. After 

 the paper is dried, it is rubbed and polished with 

 a stone ; a better description of paper is made 

 from pieces of China and Europe paper beaten 

 up instead of hemp. From twelve to fourteen 

 quires of paper can be made in a day. The 

 average price is from three to foiu- quires per 

 ru]oee, according to quality. 



The dyes of Sindh are very good, and the 

 colom'S permanent ; the only colours in use arc 

 red, saffron, green, yellow, and dark blue. 

 These are obtained from the safflower, indigo, 

 iskhar, limes, pomegranate skins, lime, oil, tama- 

 risk berries, and camel's dung, which are all pro- 

 ductions of the country ; but turmeric, alum, 



VOL. I. 20 



