190 
VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. 
The water is then passed off and the residuum exposed to 
the sun or to the action of fire until it becomes hard. The 
great number of abandoned vats visible in various localities 
would seem to indicate a serious decrease in the indigo trade of 
the Isthmus. 
The abundance of the " achote" (bixa orellana) which grows 
in all parts is not less worthy of attention. The process ob- 
served by the Indians in extracting the dye is exceedingly 
laborious. They simply rub the seed with their hands, which 
are previously dipped in oil. By this means the viscous sub- 
stance that surrounds the seed and contains the coloring matter 
is removed. When this reaches the consistency of paste it is 
scraped from the hands and made into thin cakes, which are 
dried in the sun. This plant, from the luxuriance with which it 
grows, might furnish Arnotto in such quantities as to make it a 
profitable article of export. At Santa Maria Chimalapa some 
attention is paid to its cultivation, and it forms an important 
item in the productive industry of the place. 
The growth of the ccesalpinia crista (Brazil-wood) and Jicemor 
toxylum canvpechianum (logwood) is so great in every part of 
the Isthmus, that notwithstanding the well-known value of their 
dyes, they deserve an especial enumeration. In addition, there is 
also the Palo-moro (the morus tinctoria of Linnaeus), called some- 
times the "moral" and the "palo-amarillo," which yields a valu- 
able yellow accessory coloring material, known to dyers as " old 
fustic." The dye is produced by grinding the wood and boiling 
the fibres in water over a slow fire. When an incision is made 
through the bark a cream-colored fluid exudes, to which certain 
medicinal virtues are ascribed by the Indians. With its useful- 
ness as a dye, the wood combines great beauty and durability as 
a timber. 
The variety of other dyewoods, especially those yielding 
tannin and material suitable for 1 the manufacture of ink, is 
almost incredible ; among these may be classed the " cascalote," 
the u uale," and the "guisachi," which are found in great 
abundance dispersed over various localities. The " ebano-verde" 
{cliloroxylum) of the Pacific plains is somewhat remarkable as 
furnishing a brilliant green dye ; and a valuable brown coloring 
