66 THE RED DYE-STUFFS OF INDIA. 



This, therefore, is the true madder ; but it does not appear generally to 

 have as great a repute in India as some other red dye-stuffs which we shall 

 hereafter name. Bombay madder finds its way to the English market, but 

 does not realise the best prices. 



Mr. H. Cope, to whom the sample of Neilgherry munjeet was submitted, 

 observes : — " It is impossible to say, from a mere specimen of the root, 

 whether the munjeet now before me, and that of AfFghanistan, are from 

 plants of the same species or not ; but if any dependence is to be placed on 

 the difference between the two, I should be induced to think the species 

 distinct. I have already mentioned that the Affghan species of Rubia is 

 still unnamed, unless Dr. Griffith should have affixed a name to the 

 specimens sent home, which might be easily ascertained from Sir W. J. 

 Hooker. The root sent by Dr. Cleghorn is much coarser, tortuous, and 

 thicker than that of the western root. I have submitted one sample to the 

 inspection of three brokers of experience in Umritsur, and they consider 

 that, although containing colouring matter to a considerable amount, it is 

 by no means so productive in this respect as the Ghuznee plant. I concur 

 in this opinion, but think it likely that Dr. Clegliorn's sample was, like the 

 Kangra specimen I sent you some time ago, dug out of season. It should 

 be remembered that the cultivated species, both of AfFghanistan and the 

 south of Europe, the root of munjeet and madder, is considered unfit for 

 dyeing purposes until the third year of its existence." 



Munjeet. — This dyeing material, the produce of Rubia munjista, is now 

 tolerably well-known in Europe. Generally it is not of so great repute, 

 or so universal a consumption as other red dye-stuffs in India, but in Assam 

 it is commonly employed. Good samples have been grown in the Dupla 

 Hills in Upper Assam. The colours dyed with munjeet are affirmed to be 

 fully as durable as those obtained with madder, and appreciably brighter. 

 It is gradually winning its way into favour with European dyers. 



Dr. A. Campbell, Superintendent of Darjeeling, replying to the doubts 

 expressed as to the use of the stem or stalk of the Nepal munjeet for dye 

 purposes, says : — " Having had abundant means of judging of the Nepal 

 munjeet, I would wish to certify to the fact that the entire plant is always 

 dried, and is the munjeet of commerce used by dyesters in that country, as 

 well as in Sikkim and Bootan. The root of AfFghanistan may or may not 

 be the same as the madder of Europe, but it is not, I believe, the same 

 plant as the Himalayau munjeet. It may be well to ascertain precisely what 

 is meant in the Bombay export returns by ' madder ' and ' madder-root ; ' 

 whether they are separate names for the same articles used heedlessly, or 

 are really different articles, and if so, what ? Is ' madder ' the Himalayan 

 munjeet, and ' madder-root' the AfFghanistan article '? Is the AfFghanistan 

 article and the madder of Europe the same ? Is the root only of the Euro- 

 pean plant used in dyeing ? These questions are all in need of settlement. 

 The great bulk of the munjeet, as presented to the djesters, is no doubt a 

 serious disadvantage ; but to reduce its bulk, by grinding it into powder, 

 still leaves a great weight of material for carriage, so that the great deside- 



