228 W. Lauder Lindsay’s Haperiments on the 
Experiments on the Dyeing Properties of Lichens. By W. 
LAUDER LinpsAy, M.D., Assistant Physician, Crichton 
Royal Institution, Dumfries. | (Communicated by the 
Author.)* 
I beg to present to the Society the tabulated results of be- 
tween 500 and 600 experiments made two or three years 
ago, the chief object of which was the endeavour to call at- 
tention to the fact that we possess in our own island lichens 
capable of furnishing dyes nearly, if not quite, equal in 
beauty to orchil, cudbear, and litmus. I have so fully oc- 
cupied the time of the Society on former occasions with de- 
tailed views on this subject, and with various papers on gene- 
ral points in the natural history of the lichens, that on the 
present occasion I confine myself to a few facts explanatory 
of the tables :-— 
I. Certain genera and species of lichens, which are abun- 
dant in Scotland, and could be collected with comparative 
facility, and at a very moderate expense, might be tried with 
advantage, on the large scale, as substitutes for the foreign 
lichens used in the manufacture of orchil, cudbear, and lit- 
mus. I have already indicated a favourable result in investi- 
gating native lichens on the small scale; but it remains for 
the manufacturer to test the permanence and utility of colours 
which may merely look brilliant without having any fixity. 
II. This subject is worthy of being followed out by the 
manufacturer on the one hand,and the chemist on the other,— 
a. On account of scientific interest,—the field being 
comparatively new and open, and at the same time 
most promising of good results. 
b. Were it only with the view of further developing ae 
economic resources of our own country. 
c. Because the speculation (.e., the substitution of home 
for foreign dye-lichens), promises to be remunera- 
tive, as the roccellas have frequently reached the 
high price of £1000 per ton in the London market. 
* This paper is partly a brief resumé or abstract of a series of communica- 
tions to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, made on various occasions during 
the years 1852, 1853, & 1854. 
