*4* HISTORY OF THE [book. v. 
Arnatto thus prepared is mixed up by the Spa¬ 
nish Americans with their chocolate; to which it 
gives (in their opinion) an elegant tincture, and 
great medicinal virtue. They suppose that it 
strengthens the stomach, stops fluxes, and abates 
febrile symptoms; but its principal consumption, I 
believe, is among painters and dyers.* I am in¬ 
formed that it is sometimes used by the Dutch far¬ 
mers, to give a richness of colour to their butter, 
and very small quantities of it are said to be appli¬ 
ed in the same manner in English dairies. On 
the whole, however, it is an object of no great 
commercial importance, and the demand for it is 
not sufficient to encourage much attention to its 
cultivation. 
* The liquid sold in London by the name of “ Scott’s nankeen 
dye.” is said to be arnatto dissolve^ in water by means of pot-ash. 
Bancroft’s Philosophy of Colours. 
