170 



THE AMERICAN NATURALIST 



[Vol. Lit 



Kirby and Spence suggested it as a possible dyeing ma- 

 terial. Linnaeus 's description of it is as follows: 



The extremities ol' the bninches of the spruce-fir bear small yellow 

 cones. . . . When arrived at maturity they burst asunder and discharge 

 an orange-colored powder which stains the clothes of those who ap- 

 ' proach the tree. I conceive these excrescences to be caused by some 

 minute insects. The common people eat them raw as a dainty, like 



It was probably the reference to the orange-colored 

 powder staining the clothes which led Kirby and Spence 

 to suggest that this gall might be placed among dyeing 

 materials. 



Pemphigus cornicularis 



The gall of Pemphigus cornicularis, called in India, 

 Kakra-Singhee, in Syria, Baizonge, and in Europe, gall 

 of the terebinth, occurs in southern Europe and Turkey, 

 in Spain, Syria, China and India. 



In India this gall is used in medicine by the natives who 

 assign to it great astringent and tonic properties. 



The Hindus have also used it, to a limited extent, in 

 dyeing. 



In Thrace and Macedonia Belon recorded it as being 

 collected at the end of June, while still immature, and 

 sold at high prices to the inhabitants of Bource, who used 

 it in coloring fine silks. In Spain, Syria and China it 

 was used as an ingredient in making scarlet dye. 



Aldacay Galls 

 Galls called Aldacay or Caducay galls were recorded 

 by Roxburgh in 1805 as occurring on the leaves of Mimosa 

 arabica on the coast of Coromandel. Kirby ano^ Spence 

 in speaking of this gall called the host-plant Terminalia 

 citrina. 



These galls were said to have been among the most 

 valued of the native dyeing materials and to have been 

 sold in every market. The native- dyed their best and 



