MADDER* 349 



in importance. The colouring matter resides chiefly 

 in the roots, and it is this part alone which is em- 

 ployed. 



The Madder plant grows naturally in the Levant, 

 in Italy, in the southern parts of France, and in 

 Switzerland. It is much cultivated in Holland, but 

 Macquer observes that the Dutch were first indebted 

 to the Flemish refugees for their knowledge of the 

 method of preparing this plant. Its culture has 

 often been attempted in England, but always without 

 success. 



It will live in any soil, but will not yield in every 

 situation an equally fine produce. Dry ground is not 

 favourable to its growth, but it dies if it is flooded. 

 It succeeds best in a moderately rich, soft, and some- 

 what sandy soil. The root is perennial, having an 

 annual stalk, and is composed of many long thick 

 succulent fibres, about a quarter of an inch in thick- 

 ness. It is joined at the top in a head like asparagus, 

 and runs very deep into the ground. Many side 

 roots issue from the upper part or head of the parent 

 root, and they extend just beneath the surface of 

 the ground to a considerable distance. It in conse- 

 quence propagates itself very rapidly, for these nu- 

 merous side roots send forth many shoots, which, if 

 carefully separated in the spring soon after they are 

 above ground, become so many plants. These roots 

 are covered with a black bark or rind, divested of 

 this they are of a reddish colour and semi-transpa- 

 rent ; a yellowish pith is found in the middle, which 

 is tough and rather of a bitter taste. The whole has 

 a strong and peculiar smell. From the roots spring 

 forth many large square-jointed stalks ; these are 

 weak and unable to sustain their own weight ; they 

 rise in good land to the height of eight feet, but if 

 not propped, they creep along the ground. They 

 are armed with short herbaceous prickles, and round 



2 H 



