LAST MISSION TO AFRICA. 
11 
frequently for four days more, during which it ferments 
and throws up a copper-coloured scum. It is then allowed 
to remain at rest for one day, and on the tenth day from 
the commencement of the process the cloth is put into it. 
No mordant whatever is used ; the cloth is simply wetted 
with cold water, and wrung hard before it is put into the 
pot, where it is allowed to remain about two hours. It 
is then taken out and exposed to the sun, by laying it 
(without spreading it) over a stick, till the liquor ceases 
to drop from it. After this it is washed in cold water, and 
is often beat with a flat stick to clear away any leaves or 
dirt which may adhere to it. The cloth being again wrung 
hard, is returned into the pot ; and this dipping is repeated 
four times every day for the first four days ; at the end of 
which period it has in common acquired a blue colour 
equal to the finest India baft. 
The Negro women, who practise dying, have generally 
twelve or fourteen indigo jars, so that one of them is al- 
ways ready for dipping. If the process misgives, which 
it very seldom does with women who practise it exten- 
sively, it generally happens during the second four days 
or the fermenting period. The indigo is then said to be 
dead, and the whole is thrown out. 
In Kajaaga and Kasson they spread the cloth in the 
sun, and dry it after every dip : they then beat it with a 
