ALKANET ROOT. 233 



The substances remaining to be treated of in this chapter 

 are not strictly dye-stuffs, but as their chief use is for 

 colouring other materials, they will be most in place if 

 classed with dyes. 



Alkanet Boot. Anchusa tinctoria, (Nat. Ord. Bora 

 ginacea.) 



The Anchusa is a weedy, diffuse' plant, rarely attaining a 

 foot in height ; it however forms long woody roots, which 

 contain the colouring principle. It is much cultivated in 

 the south of France and some portions of Germany. Its 

 chief use is in giving a fine crimson colour to oils used in 

 perfumery, and in dyeing wood in imitation of rosewood. 

 For this purpose the colour is separated by soaking the root 

 in oil, and the wood is rubbed with the coloured oil until it 

 is rendered sufficiently dark. About eight to ten tons are 

 annually imported, chiefly from Trance and Germany. 



Dragon's Blood. — Under this name several resins are 

 found in commerce, which have a similar appearance, that 

 is, a fine dark cinnabar or Indian-red colour, resinous lustre, 

 and are inodorous and tasteless. They are produced by one 

 or two species of Calamus, or cane-palm, and are used for 

 colouring varnishes and particularly for dyeing horn so as 

 to imitate tortoiseshell. 



