2 THE YELLOW DYE STUFFS OF CHINA AND INDIA. 



use of vinegar to citron-juice, whilst others use no acid at all. Hoang-ten 

 is sometimes used, in combination with the Kiang-lioang, to render the 

 colour more permanent. 



Hoang-ten is the root or stem of a plant which is said to re- 

 semble the Indian reed. As sold to the dyers, it consists of small twisted 

 vine-like pieces of from a third to half an inch in diameter, of a bitter 

 taste, and with a thin, shrivelled, reddish-brown bark. • Inwardly it is of a 

 fine yellow colour. 



Don J. de Azaola, of Manilla, thought that this substance might be the 

 root of a shrub, known to botanists as Menispermum Cocculus, L. But M. 

 Rondot is more inclined to believe it the stems of Fibraurea tinctoria, Lour. 

 The description of that plant by Loureiro accords very well with the 

 substance used in China. He also states that the stems of that plant, yield 

 by boiling a yellow colour, which, though not very brilliant, is fast. In 

 the Account of China this plant is also referred to as yielding a yellow dye 

 stuff. Loureiro affirms that the Chinese name of this substance is tien-sien- 

 tan, whilst that of the Cochin Chinese is cay-vang-dang. The Obinese 

 characters, which are rendered Hoang-ten, are pronounced in Cochin 

 Chinese vang-dang. Hence, there is every probability that the Hoang-ten of 

 the Chinese is the produce of Fibraurea tinctoria. 



For dyeing, this substance is either used by itself, or in combination with 

 turmeric powder, for the purpose of fixing the colour of the latter. The 

 Hoang-ten is left to macerate in cold water for three or four days. The 

 cloth is then dipped, without the use of any mordant. Hitherto, we are 

 not aware that this substance has been introduced into Europe. 



Hoang-pe-pi is the bark of a tree, called hoang-pe-mou (Pterocarpus 

 flavus, Lour.), a kind of yellow Sanders-wood, or an allied tree, 

 which is found in the province of Sse-tchouen. This bark is in use 

 by the Canton dyers, costs about twopence per pound. It is left 

 to macerate in water for three or four days, is used cold, without any 

 mordant, and it produces a colour of a reddish yellow. This dye stuff is also 

 alluded to by Loureiro and Father Collas. The next substance is sometimes 

 used as a substitute, but is less esteemed. 



Siao-pe is a kind of Barberry bark, the produce of Berberis Thunbergii, 

 which is used hi Canton for dyeing yellow, and probably resembles 

 the Barberry bark of our own country in its tinctorial properties. 

 It is not greatly esteemed in China. 



Ti-hoang is another yellow dye stuff, which is obtained from the 

 root of a plant, named by Dr. Hoffman Rhamnesia sinensis.* The leaves 

 are large, rough, and thick : the flowers are striped in red and violet ; 

 the seeds are grey, and are contained in a capsule ; " the root is as yellow 

 as that of a carrot." This plant grows almost everywhere in China, and 

 its use for dyeing purposes is nearly universal. We cannot at present 



* With a genus of this name we confess ourselves unacquainted. It is probably a 

 typographical error. — Editor. 



