358 THE VEGETABLE PRODUCTS OP SUM, 



outer wood chipped off, and requires to be re-chipped in order to remove 

 all the outside white wood, and leave it a uniform bright colour. 



A beautiful dye of a brilliant yellow is procured from the heart of the 

 jack-tree (Artocarpus integrifolia). This wood deserves a closer examination, 

 whether it might not become of importance to commerce, not only as a dye, 

 but likewise to the cabinet-maker. It must, however, be understood that 

 it is only the heart of the tree which can be employed for such purposes : 

 its outer part (and this is likewise the case with the tree which furnishes 

 the beautiful letter-wood of Guiana, which belongs, according to botanical 

 classification, to the same family as the jack-tree) is soft and useless. 



The natives obtain a fine red dye from the roots of the Morinda citrifolia ; 

 and I have seen silk cloth, manufactured bere, of a green colour, which, I 

 was given to understand, was extracted from a vegetable substance procured 

 in the forests of the interior. This green dye had much more lustre than 

 sap-green ; and if it be really a vegetable production, it deserves further 

 inquiries. 



The wood of a species of mangrove yields a red colour ; and the bark 

 of the common kind (Rhizophora Mangle) is used in tanning, and a small 

 quantity of it is exported. 



Several species of plants furnishing indigo grow spontaneously in the 

 interior. An attempt has recently been made by a British subject to manu- 

 facture the dye from these plants ; but he has not succeeded in render- 

 ing it profitable, in consequence of which he has given up the speculation. 

 Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), cidtivated in Spain, Egypt, &c, is likewise 

 produced in Siam, and sold for its colouring matter. This refers equally to 

 saffron (Crocus sativus), and to turmeric, the root of Curcuma longa, which 

 is used in dyeing yellow, and as an ingredient in the preparation of curry- 

 .powder : however, only sufficient for home consumption is cultivated. 



Gamboge is the gum-resin of a tree belonging, according to botanical 

 classification, to the natural family of Clusiaceai. It is employed as a pig- 

 ment, and as an active medicine. The best quality is brought to Siam 

 from Cambodia, and is considered to be the produce of Garcinia Cochin- 

 cMnensis. An incision having been made into the tree, the gum is collected 

 into hollow bamboos, which, after the secretion has become dry, are broken : 

 hence the drug receives a cjdindrical appearance. An inferior quality 

 is brought down from the Laos country, which is in lumps. 



The rich red-coloured resin called dragon's blood is obtained from a 

 species of rattan (Calamus Draco), which is gathered within the forests of 

 Siam. It is well known that this substance is principally used to tinge 

 varnishes and lacquers. 



Bishop Pallegoix speaks of a varnish being obtained from a species of 

 banana tree by incision. Neither the sun nor the rain has influence upon 

 this substance ; hence it is employed for securing the gilding of Siamese 

 idols. It might be employed, with great advantage, in Europe, for such 

 monuments and ornaments as are gilded, and exposed to the influence 

 of the atmosphere. 



I do not believe that this varnish is obtained from a plant which belongs 



