46 



Lac. 



Safflower. 



Leaves of Phyllanthus emblica. 



Calyces of Thespesia populnea. 



Flowers of Butea frondosa. 



Indigo. 



Hursinghar flowers (especially good). 



Flowers of Gedrela toona (very good). 

 In addition to the above, I may mention the following 

 as being useful dyes, though not yielding such rich colours 

 as those previously mentioned : — 



Munjeet (root of Rubia munjista). 



Cotton flowers. 



Sapan %vood. 



Flowers of Grislea tomentosa. 



Root of Morinda citrifolia. 

 ■ Ashna bark. 



Root bark of Ventilago maderaspatana 

 The following also, although the colours produced by 

 them are poor in comparison to the preceding, will be found 

 to yield useful results with Tusser silk : — 



Seeds of Cassia torn. 



Pista phul. 



Bark of Euphorbia tirucalli. 



Pomegranate rind. 

 That Tusser silk should be more difficult to dye than 

 mulberry silk may well be inferred from the difference in 

 degree of solubility of the two silks. A neutral solution 

 of chloride of zinc gently heated dissolves mulberry silk 

 instantly, whilst it only dissolves Tusser silk slowly. In a 

 cold solution I found it took three da}^s to dissolve 

 mulberry silk, but with Tusser silk a fortnight's immersion 

 produced no effect. 



Similar effects are also produced by an ammoniacal 

 solution of copper oxide, which has the property of effecting 

 the solution of both silks in the cold more quickly. The 

 cold solution rapidly dissolves mulberry silk and also cotton. 

 It dissolves Tusser silk more slowly, but its effect on wool 

 is simply to blacken it without dissolving it. 



As the preparation of this solution requires care, it may 

 be well if I explain the method : — 



1. Make a strong aqueous solution of sulphate of copper. 



2. When cold, add to this solution a few drops of strong 

 ammonia until the whitish-blue colour formed begins to 

 change to a deeper blue. 



