AFRICAN PALMS. 103 



of the sun, when aided by diluted acids, it developes in a few minutes 

 a beautiful red colour. It takes some days to produce this phenomenon 

 if the operation is performed in darkness. Again, having raised the 

 solution of colourless matter to a temperature of 80° or 100°, and 

 mingled with it a few drops of acid, a magnificent crimson colour 

 speedily appeared, which deposited, when cold, a flaky sediment of the 

 same colour. We have thus assured ourselves of the following facts : 



1. That the different woods treated of all contain the same colourless 

 matter, which can be changed into red under the influence of light, of 

 heat, and of acids. 



2. That these woods, together with all whose properties in their im- 

 mediate principles present like characteristics, may be classed in the 

 same group. This classification is a useful one in science, if not in 

 botany, and chemistry will derive especial benefit from it. 



3. That this colourless matter pre-existent in the wood must not be 

 considered as possessing colour, until it has undergone a simple dis-oxy- 

 dation. In other words, the connection between these matters is not 

 the same as between blue indigo and disoxydised indigo. 



4. That the purple matter can be changed to a colourless one by the 

 action of reductive agents, but in that case it differs from the original 

 colouring matter of the wood. 



5. The most colouring matter is found in those woods which have 

 the least colour in the interior. 



6. Lastly, that the art of dyeing will be enriched with a new dye, at 

 the same time that the cabinet-makers will find a profitable means of 

 disposing of their waste. 



AFRICAN PALMS. 



BY DR. W. BALFOUR BAIK.IE, R.N. 



FAMILY Calamaoe^e :— 1. Calamus sp. possibly secundiflorus, at 

 mouths of the Nun and Brass branches of the Kw6ra or Niger. 2. 

 Calamus sp. apparently different, near the banks of the Niger above the 

 Delta. 3. Raphia vinifera, the Wine or Bamboo Palm. Constant along 

 mouths and in deltas of rivers ; also inland in moist places in Ibo, 

 Benin, Y6ruba, Dah6mi, &c, and still further from the sea in Kor6rofa, 

 AdamaVa, Bautsi, Yuriya, GMri, Ndpe, Kambari (as far as near to 

 Yauri), Borgu, Gurma, and along the road to Gonja. The greatest 

 known distance from the sea is in the town of Kuno, and more than 

 400 miles from the sea. 



