MADDER. 355 



Doctor's part that it should not be divulged for a 

 certain term of years, during which period M. Pa- 

 pillon was to have the sole use of, and the benefit ac- 

 cruing from his process. The term being expired, the 

 process pursued was published, and found to be very 

 similar to that already given by the French chemists. 



Another species of madder has been cultivated in 

 France by M. D'Ambourney, who found it growing 

 wild among the rocks of Oissel in Normandy. On 

 trial it yielded a dye as beautiful as that of Smyrna 

 madder, and he was therefore induced to prosecute 

 its culture. This plant is rather different from the 

 madder grown in Holland. Its roots are more 

 slender and of a less bright colour. They are fur- 

 nished with few fibres at their joints, and those 

 joints are farther apart; the stalk is not so thick, 

 and the leaves are narrower and of a r&.ler green. 



In consequence of the impossibility of drying his 

 roots without fire, M. D'Ambourney was induced to 

 use them fresh after being well washed and cleansed. 

 It is estimated that the root of the madder loses 

 seven-eighths of its weight when dried and reduced 

 to powder. But four pounds of the fresh root were 

 found to be as efficacious as one pound of pulver- 

 ized madder ; therefore, by this plan, twice as much 

 effective colouring matter was obtained : besides 

 which advantage there were many others, the ex- 

 pense of erecting sheds and kilns for drying was 

 rendered unnecessary there was no danger of in- 

 juring the substance by improper drying, nor was 

 the cost of a mill for grinding required. Lastly, the 

 roots did not evaporate or ferment, as in the case 

 with powdered madder if not speedily used ; but they 

 might be preserved fresh during several months, by 

 laying them in a hole three feet deep, in alternate 

 layers of roots and of earth*. Roots are now irn-i 

 * M, Du HameU 



