42 
TH A LA All FLORAE. 
Calycine sepals ferruginous, pubescent, deciduous ; a tubercle 
at the base of each sepal, persistent, large, roundish, coriaceous, 
greenish. Petals larger than the sepals. Filaments numerous, 
yellow at the base, purplish towards the apex. Ovary ovate, 
covered with setules : style length of the stamens, incurvated 
and compressed towards the stigma: stigma 2-lipped. 
The variety of this species known as B. alba, has recently 
been introduced, and is cultivated in some of our gardens, it 
is distinguished by the leaves being more attenuated at the apex, 
the flowers being nearly white, and the capsule more elongated. 
It is from the pulp, which covers the seeds of this tree, that 
the substance known by the names of Arnotta or Annotta in 
England, and Roucou in France is procured. It is collected by 
pouring boiling water, on the seeds, in any convenient vessel; 
after stirring the whole, the water, with the farina suspended in 
it, is poured off; and this is repeated till the naked seeds are 
left. The water, after allowing it to stand for some time, is 
then to be poured off clear, leaving the Arnotta which has set- 
tled at the bottom. The addition of an acid is said to hasten 
the process. The sediment is afterwards to be placed in shal- 
low vessels and dried by evaporation in the shade. When it 
has acquired a proper consistence, it is to be made into cakes or 
balls : after which it is to be thoroughly dried till bard, when it 
is in a fit state to be sent to market. 
Arnotto is of a resinous nature, and dissolves more completely 
in alcohol than in water. When prepared for market, it is mo- 
derately hard, of a brown colour externally, and dull red with- 
in. It is occasionally imported in cakes of 2 or 3 pounds 
weight, of the consistence of paste, wrapped up in large flag 
leaves, and packed in casks. The roll Arnotto is much harder, 
and of a very superior quality, containing a larger proportion 
of the colouring matter. It was formerly employed, in dyeing 
silk, to produce the colour called Aurora. As the addition of 
an alkali increases its solubility, it is the practice, when used in 
dyeing, to mix it with at least its own weight of potash. It is 
now however but seldom employed as a dye in Great Britain.* 
The Indians mix it with oil, or with lime-juice and a gum, to 
make the crimson paint with which they anoint their bodies, not 
so much for the purpose of ornament, as to protect them from 
the attacks of insects. It is said to be esteemed by painters as a 
colour. In Gloucestershire it is employed under the name of 
cheese colouring, to give a yellowish-orange tint to cheese; and 
in Holland, to butter. It has never had any great character 
as a medicine. It is a gentle purgative, and a light stomachic : 
it has been employed in dysentery, and as an antidote for the 
bitter Cassada. The Spaniards use it in their chocolate and 
* The liquid sold under the name of Scott’s Nankin dye, is .nothing but a 
solution of Arnotto and potash in water. 
