196 THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



hazel-tree. The heart-shaped leaves are about four inches long^ 

 of a lighter green on the upper surface, and divided by fibres of a 

 reddish-brown colour ; the rosy flowers are succeeded by bristled 

 pods somewhat resembling those of a chestnut, which, bursting 

 open when ripe, display a splendid crimson farina or pulp, in 

 which are contained thirty or forty seeds, in shape similar to 

 raisin stones. As soon as they have arrived at maturity the 

 pods are gathered, divested of their husks, bruised, immersed 

 in water, and after a few weeks beaten with sticks to promote 

 the separation of the pulp from the seeds. The turbid liquor 

 is then strained, boiled to a consistent paste, and finally formed 

 into cakes, which are left to dry in the sun. In England 

 arnatto is generally used by the dyer to give a deeper shade to 

 the simple yellow. Being perfectly soluble in spirits of wine, 

 it is much used in this state for lacquering and for giving an 

 orange tint to the yellow varnishes. It is likewise employed 

 in large quantities as a colouring ingredient for cheese, to 

 which it gives the required tinge without imparting any 

 unpleasant flavour or unwholesome quality. 



