63 



gofera anil *, which is cultivated jointly with 

 the indigofera tinctoria. The rains being very 

 frequent in the valley of Cumanacoa, a plant of 

 four feet high yields no more colouring matter, 

 than one of a third part this size in the arid val- 

 leys of Aragua, to the west of the town of Ca- 

 raccas. 



The manufactories we examined are all built 

 on the same principles. Two steeping vessels, 

 or vats, which receive the plants intended to be 

 brought into a state of fermentation, are joined 

 together. Each of them is fifteen feet square, 

 and two and a half deep. From these upper 

 vats the liquor runs into beaters, between which 

 is placed the water-mill. The axle-tree of the 

 great wheel crosses the two beaters. It is fur- 

 nished with ladles, fixed to long handles, adapt- 

 ed for the beating. From a spacious settling- 

 vat, the colouring fecula is carried to the drying 

 placed, and spread on planks of brasiletto, 

 which, having small wheels, can be sheltered 

 under a roof in case of sudden rains. These 

 sloping and very low roofs give the drying place 

 the appearance of a hot-house at some distance. 



* The indigo found in commerce is produced by four spe- 

 cies of plants : the indigofera tinctoria, i. anil, i. argentea, 

 and i. disperma. At the Rio Negro, near the frontiers of 

 Brasil, we found the i. argentea growing wild, but only in 

 places anciently inhabited by Indians. 



+ Officinas para secar el anil. 



