108 THE HUMAN SIDE OF TREES 



and brilliant colours. Thus one of our most im- 

 portant black and dark blue cloth dyes has its 

 base in logwood, which is the heartwood of the 

 Hcematoxylon campechianum of Central Amer- 

 ica. Peachwood, sapanwood, limawood (known as 

 the soluble redwoods) and camwood, bar wood and 

 sanderwood (known as the insoluble redwoods), 

 all of tropical origin, are likewise important among 

 the vegetable dyes. Quercitron bark, which is the 

 inner bark of the oak tree, in solution with alu- 

 minum or tin forms a bright yellow. Every one is 

 familiar with the red oak dye. 



Of tree-drugs there is no end. From earliest 

 times man has resorted to the leaves, bark and roots 

 of trees and plants when in need of medicine. The 

 cinchona, from which quinine is taken, is invaluable. 

 Quinine is the only known cure for those dreadful 

 fevers which are produced by the abundant vegeta- 

 tion in the very place where the cinchona thrives. 

 Scientists in the near future will doubtless discover 

 excellent uses for all apparently noxious plants. 



The chulmugra tree of India manufactures in 

 its seeds an oil very beneficial in the treatment of 

 skin diseases. The wonderful qualities of the 

 Lobelia syplulitica need no comment. The root-bark 

 of the rusot (Berberis aristata) furnishes a valuable 

 medical extract. Several volumes might be written 



