DYE-STUFFS OF INDIA AND CHINA. 135 



Chinese Lo-kao, or Green dye. — This substance, to which attention has 

 been drawn during the past ten years, and great exertions made to discover 

 its source, is now ascertained to be obtained from two species of Rliamnus 

 (it. chlorophorus and R. utilis). The Lo-kao is the sediment remaining after 

 dyeing cotton cloths with the barks of both plants. This sediment is 

 spread on blotting paper and dried ; it then assumes the appearance of thin 

 scales, like dried orange bark. During and after the Paris Exhibition of 

 1855, the value of the Chinese colour applied to silk became more and 

 more appreciated. Its value consists in its being a pure and simple green, 

 distinguished, it is said, from all the other shades of that colour by its 

 remaining pure in artificial light. The quantity imported into France 

 during the first six months of 1857 was 1,100 lbs., and the commercial 

 value about £8,000. The Lo-kao does not contain any principle that re- 

 sembles the constituent of indigo. It has been two or three times in the 

 London market during the past twelve months, and realised about 7s. 6d. 

 per ounce. 



Ctjpla root. — The root of Rottlera tinctoria, as well as the red resinous 

 powder of the capsules, yields a scarlet colour, and is employed for dye 

 purposes. 



Motha. — The roots, apparently of a species of sedge (Cyperus), are 

 employed in dyeing at Patna. Whether they have, from similarity of 

 name, any connection with the dye-stuffs of Rajpootana to be next men- 

 tioned, we are unable to state, for, although we have examined this, we 

 have never seen them. 



Mooshe, Mucha, and Muchkee. — Three specimens of dye-stuffs under 

 these names from the Rajpootana States were shown at the Exhibition of 

 1851. They may be the same substance, or a variety of it under a variation 

 in name, or entirely different substances. In the absence both of specimens 

 and information, we are at present unable to decide. 



Hunsraj. — The fronds of a maiden-hair fern (Adiantum lanatum) are 

 affirmed to be used in dyeing in Bengal. 



Gooljaleel, or Usburg. — An East Indian substance, consisting of flower 

 buds, flowers, broken leaves, and small portions of thin twigs or stems, used 

 for dyeing yellow. It has been received from Cabool under the name of 

 Gooljaleel. In Northern India Usburg is synonymous with Ukkulbere, as a 

 popular designation of Datisca cannabina. 



Dicalyx. — The powdered leaves of Dicalyx tinctoria are employed at 

 Mirzapore for dyeing red. 



Sumatra Gardenia. — In Sumatra, a species of Gardenia (G. glutinosa) 

 yields fruits which furnish a beautiful yellow colour equal to that produced 

 by the Hoang-tchi of China. 



Saffron.— This well-known substance, scarcely important as a dye-stuff, 

 is produced in the vale of Cashmere, from indigenous species of Crocus. 

 The colouring matter seems to be present in as great a proportion as in 

 European saffron. 



Goolanna. — The dried, fleshy, calyx of a flower from Scinde, un- 



