158 THE USES OF PLANTS. 



balans are imported from Persia, France, and Ceylon 

 respectively, instead of being produced at home. The 

 knowledge of indigenous dyes possessed by the people 

 is threatened, and turmeric, possibly from its use for 

 other purposes, is ' the only dye-stuff which seems to 

 have prospered, in spite of the introduction of aniline 

 colours/ In Europe and the Levant, artificial 

 alizarine has almost extinguished the cultivation of 

 Madder ; but, nevertheless, some new dyes of 

 botanical interest have been introduced during the 

 last half-century, whilst the general extension of trade, 

 consequent on the mere growth of our population, has 

 led not only to increased importation of the astringent 

 substances used both in dyeing and tanning, but also 

 to the introduction of novel substances for these 

 purposes. Among the former (new dyes) the most 

 interesting are the Indian MANJIT or MUNJEET 

 (Rubia cordifolia, L.), which is, however, but rarely 

 brought over, 525 tons arriving in 1850, but none in 

 1851 or 1852 ; the CHINESE GREEN INDIGO or Lo- 

 KAO, from the barks of Rhamnus chlorophorus , Dev., 

 and R. utilis> Dev., which, Mr. W. B. Hemsley states, 

 are identical with R. tinctorius, W. K., and R. dahurictis, 

 Pall., respectively, which has been superseded by the 

 less permanent aniline dyes, though much praised as 

 a novelty thirty years ago ;* and TOKIO PURPLE, the 

 Japanese Lithospermum erythrorhizon, which may 

 prove of use for colouring oils. Indigo and Orchil 

 have been prepared chemically, but not as yet in com- 

 mercial quantities. 



As a tanning material, English Oak-bark stood 

 * Persoz., 'Comptes Rendus,' xxxv, 558. 



