ALKANET. WELD. 251 



hues of stuflfe, dyed with other substances. Another species of 

 Lichen yields the dye termed Cudbear. Several other red dyes 

 might be enumerated, which are used in small quantities for 

 particular purposes. Among the most important of these is 

 Alkanet, which is obtained from the roots of the Anchusa tihctoria, 

 a native of the Levant and the warmer parts of Europe, but 

 grown also in England. This colouring principle is not soluble 

 in water; but it gives a deep red colour to oils, wax, and 

 unctuous substances. It is consequently used chiefly to colour 

 oils, ointments, lip-salves, &c. ; and it is sometimes applied to 

 the staining of wood, when dissolved in oil. Notwithstanding 

 the apparent insignificance of these purposes, above 50,000 Ibs. of 

 it are annually imported into this country for home use, besides 

 what is raised in Britain. 



395. Many good Yellow dyes may be obtained from plants ; 

 and the most important of all those used in Britain, is procured 

 from a plant of native growth, Weld, or Wold, or (as it is 

 sometimes called) Dyer's-weed. This grows spontaneously in 

 many parts of the country, on uncultivated wastes ; and it is a 

 very hardy plant, preserving its verdure through frost and 

 drought. It is nearly allied to the Mignionette ; but is a much 

 taller plant, attaining the height of three feet before blooming. 

 It takes two years to come to maturity, and is gathered whilst 

 the seed is ripening. The plants are dried, and then transferred 

 to the dyer, who at once extracts the colour by boiling ; there 

 is reason to believe, however, that the seeds contain the really 

 important part; and that, if they be saved, the trouble which 

 arises from the bulk of the whole plant, may be avoided. The 

 colour is also separated, in the form of a yellow powder, for the 

 use of the paper-stainers, who employ much of it. A much 

 larger quantity of weld is used in England, than fs supplied by 

 cultivation ; and it is consequently imported from abroad. This 

 is much to be regretted ; as there is good reason to believe, that 

 it will thrive and yield a handsome profit, on lands so poor as 

 not to be profitably cultivated in any other way. 



396. Another very excellent yellow dye is obtained from 

 the bark of the Quercw tinctoria, or Quercitron, a species of 



