72 THE RED DYE-STUFFS OF INDIA. 



Attention was first drawn to this dye-stuff in 1798 by a minute of the 

 Board of Trade, recommending its importation ; but Dr. Bancroft, who 

 made some experiments with a sample of damaged chay-root, considered it 

 inferior to madder, and its further importation was discouraged. 



Cherinji. — This root, which is grown in the Dekkan, is supposed to be 

 the produce of Cherongia sapida, or Buchanania latifolia. This is used in 

 conjunction with a root called jagi* imported from the hill country of 

 Ganjam, and a colour is produced nearly equal to the chay, whilst the pro- 

 cess is simpler and less expensive. The colour, however, is neither so 

 bright nor so enduring. A drop of spirit removes the colour from cloth 

 dyed with Cherinji, whilst it has no effect on the chay dye. Sometimes a 

 little chay-root is mixed with Cherinji to improve the colour. 



Mungkudu (Morinda umbellatd). — This dye-stuff is in extensive use in 

 the Indian Archipelago, and sparingly on the continent of India. 



Maddi chaka, or Muddy chuckay (Morinda bracteata). — The tree 

 producing this dye-stuff grows freely everywhere in India, and no par- 

 ticular care is required in gathering it. The best dye is procured from the 

 bark of the roots of plants three years old. It is one of the commonest red 

 dyes of India, though the colour is dull, yet it is considered faster than the 

 brighter tints obtained from other substances. 



Noona chuckay (Morinda citrifolia). — The bark and root of this 

 Morinda is used in the same manner as the last. Most of the Madras red 

 turbans are dyed with this substance, which is very common in that presi- 

 dency. It is called the Hal plant, and yields three different permanent 

 shades — a bright red, a pink red, and a faint red. 



Soorinjee chuckay (Morinda tinctoria). — Another allied substance, 

 equally valuable, and in as common use. It is also known under the name 

 of ach-root. The colouring matter of the Morindas is far more permanent 

 than that of some other of the red dyes of India, and although not so bril- 

 liant, as at present manipulated, there is no doubt that under improved 

 management it would become an important rival to madder. 



There are other Morindas occasionally used in India for dye purposes. 

 Such, for instance, as Roioc, the roots of Morinda roioc, and Chachuca, 

 of Morinda chachuca, as well as those of M. multiflora at Nagpore, and 

 M. angustifolia in other localities. 



Sappan. — A large quantity of Sappan, or Buckum wood, the produce of 

 Ccesaljnnia sappan, is grown in Malabar, and its cultivation might be still 

 further extended. A custom prevails on the birth of a female child, which 

 tends to keep up a good store of young trees. The Moplahs are in the 

 habit on such occasions of planting from forty to fifty seeds of sappan, and 

 the trees which reach maturity in ten to twelve years are her dowry when 

 she is married. The sappan tree (puttingay, Hindoo) is cultivated in 

 Paulghaut, Madras, for the purpose of dyeing the straw used in mat-making. 



* Jagi is the name given by the Telugus to Jasminum grandiflorwn ; but there is no 

 further evidence whether this is the plant of which the leaves are used as above. 



