ORCHELLA. 365 



He immediately took advantage of the fortunate cir- 

 cumstance which had revealed to him this valuable 

 dye ; and making many experiments to ascertain all 

 its virtues, was soon in a situation to convert it into 

 a most profitable source of wealth, not only enrich- 

 ing himself, but making it a branch of commerce 

 extremely advantageous to his countrymen. The 

 Florentine carried on his art of dyeing wool with 

 orchella to a great extent, and for a considerable time 

 kept the practice an exclusive secret, but subsequently 

 he made known the process by which he obtained his 

 colouring matter. 



In the Greek islands this lichen is called respio, 

 and in Spain orciglia; but it was totally unknown 

 among the Italians, and the Florentine therefore 

 gave to it a name somewhat resembling the Spanish ; 

 a name, the adoption of which was of some impor* 

 tance to him, as, in remenibrance of his disco- 

 very, he and his posterity were afterwards called 

 Oricellarii, which by being pronounced short, and 

 a little mutilated, was changed into Rucellari, 

 and lastly into Rucellai *, a name still found 

 among the first families in Florence, and which has 

 been borne by many statesmen, as well as men of 

 letters. 



Throughout the last century there has been a great 

 and increasing demand for this lichen. The Canary 

 Islands produce it in large quantities. In the islands 

 of Teneriffe, Canary, and Palma, this production is 

 considered of sufficient consequence to be claimed as 

 the property of the crown. It is in great request in 

 London, Amsterdam, Marseilles, and throughout all 

 Italy. It was extremely scarce in London, and ob- 

 tained a very high price, the increasing demand con- 



* Giornale de Letterati d'Italia ? torn, xxxiii. parte 1, p. 23 1, 

 as quoted by Beckmann. 



I 3 ' 



