RUBIA TINCTORUSf. 
147 
length, and covered with short hooked points, by which they adhere 
to the neighbouring plants for support, and subdivide into numerous 
branches, proceeding from the articulations ; the leaves are placed 
in whorls, from four to six together, elliptical, pointed, rough, 
ciliated, and arise from the joints of the stems and branches ; the 
flowers are small and terminal ; the calyx is divided into four teeth ; 
the corolla is of a straw or yellow colour, campanulate, and cut at 
the brim into four ovate segments ; the four filaments are short, and 
support simple erect anthers ; the germen is inferior, double, sup- 
porting a slender style, dividing at the top into two globular 
stigmata ; the germen becomes two round black berries, each con- 
taining an ovate seed. 
Many attempts have been made to raise this plant in Britain, 
and considerable encouragement has been held out to the culti- 
vators ;* but the low price and excellent quality of the Dutch 
madder.t is a bar to its successful cultivation in this country, 
although the roots grown here have been found equal, if not better, 
than any of foreign growth. 
The roots of madder are usually dug up for use, the third or 
fourth summer of its growth ; it is then gradually dried in a stove 
of a peculiar construction, to remove the cuticle, which is done by 
thrashing; after which it is more perfectly dried in a kiln, pounded 
and packed in barrels for sale. Previous to packing the powder is 
sorted, usually into three different qualities, which fetches a price 
according to its quality. J 
Sensible and Chemical Properties, &c. The roots of 
madder have a bitter and somewhat austere taste ; the odour is not 
strong, but rather unpleasant ; the infusion made with boiling water 
is of a deep reddish brown ; to cold water, alcohol, and the essen- 
tial oils, the roots impart a bright red colour. Both the taste and 
odour of madder is imparted to the watery and alcoholic infusions. 
The colouring matter of madder is precipitated of a brownish red, 
by a solution of alum ; of a deep lake or blood red colour, by lime 
water and the alkaline carbonates ; and brown, by acetate of lead.§ 
* Vide Trans, of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. 
+ The chief part of the madder used by the dyers in Britain is grown by the Dutch ; 
the best comes from Zealand, and it is said our merchants pay £200,000. annually for 
this drug. 
X Those who are particularly interested in the growth of madder, we refer to 
Miller's Gard. Diet., where a full account is given of the cultivation, and subsequent 
management of this plant. 
§ Annales de Chimie, torn. i<v. 104, 
