1841.] On Lichens in the Himalayas. 831 



are Kassipoor and Philibeet in Rohilkhund, which derive their supplies 

 from the Kumaon province. 



The Lichen rarely finds its way into the hands of the regular dyers, as 

 almost every Mussulman, and many Hindoos, know how to, and do 

 use it as a household article of manufacture, thus saving the cost of 

 the dyer's labour. One seer will dye from ten to fifteen pieces of 

 cloth, of the ordinary length, made in this part of the country 

 and about two feet broad. The article when brought in the bazar, 

 is carefully picked, and freed from all extraneous matter, thoroughly 

 dried in the sun, and rubbed with the hand on. the rope bottom 

 of a Charpae, till not only all the remaining particles of earth, 

 bark, &c., are rubbed through, but until the whole assumes a white 

 colour, by the peeling off of the dark under- surface, which you will 

 observe on the plant. This process gives to the massive an almost 

 silky softness. The Lichen is then put into as much water as may, in 

 the estimation of the operator, be required to dye the cloth in hand, 

 and boiled until the colouring matter is strongly given out. The dye 

 v/ater is then cooled, and modified by the addition of various sub- 

 stances, according to the taste or fancy of the amateur dyer. 



These are chiefly Kutt, (Catechu, which is plentifully produced in the 

 Sewalik Hills by the natives, from the wood of the Acacia Catechu,) 

 a pice weight of which, to the whole quantity, deepens the colour much ; 

 but is not generally admired. The Kutt is pounded, rubbed on the 

 seel with water to a paste, mixed with more water, strained, and added 

 to the Lichen dye. This is the way in which the following ingredients 

 are also added. 



2ndly. Mehendee leaves (Lawsonia inermis) much used and admired. 



3rdly. Pawn leaves (Piper BetleJ. 



4thly. Flowers of the Harsinghar (Nyctanthus arbor tristis,) which 

 is indigenous to the Dhoon (valley) of Dhera, and its neighbourhood, 

 &c. &c. 



In order to give the cloth an agreeable odour, it is usual to add, when 

 about to be dipped for the last time into the dye, a small quantity 

 of the following aromatics, pounded, ground, strained, and in the same 

 manner as the Kutt, &c. ; viz., Nagurmothor, (root of the Cyperus 

 rotundifoliusj Kaphoor Kucheree, (root of the Hedychium spicatuniy) 

 and Balchur, (root of Valeriana Nardus). 



