OF THE MALDIVB ISLANDS. 
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used for caulking boats with coir or native cotton, the whole 
mixed with soot of cocoanut husks or preferably of Barring- 
tonia fruits. 
Group II. — Oils^ Perfumes, &c. 
The chief oil used in the islands is of course that of 
the cocoanut. Castor oil is sometimes used as a purgative. 
Calophyllum Inophyllum oil is used as an ointment. The 
Margosa has lately been introduced. 
Perfumes are obtained from the flowers of the Jasmine, 
Plumeria, rose, basil, and probably others, such as Guettarda, 
&c., and also from the Khus-khus and Citronella grasses. 
Group III. — Dyes and Tanning Stuffs. 
The principal source of dye seems to be the root of 
the Ahi, Morinda citrifolia, from which they prepare the 
red dye used for mats, &c., by mixing a decoction with lime. 
A black dye, sometimes used in the mats, is made by boiling 
gallnuts and rusty iron together in cocoanut water (Bell), 
but the deepest black is made from plantain sap. A deep 
black is made from Mangrove mud, and lighter shades 
to brown from Mangrove sap. Black is also obtained by 
mixing cocoanut shell charcoal with oil. Lacquer work 
is carried on only in Turadu (S. Mahlos) ; the lac and 
colours used are obtained from Calcutta. The flora also 
includes Indigo and the Chay root (Oldenlaudia umbellata), 
but these are not now used as dyes. Henna is not 
uncommon. Of tanning substances there appear to be none 
in use, fish skins, &c., being simply stretched and dried ; 
there are several possible sources, such as Mangroves, 
Cassias, &c. [The only mammals are a bat, a rat, and a 
mouse, with a few semi-wild white rabbits,] 
Group IV. — Fibres. 
The chief fibre in use is of course coir. Like the Lacca- 
dives, the islands produce a very fine quality of this fibre, 
light in colour, fine, and strong, which brings a high price in 
