Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, first edition - Volume I, A-B.pdf/755

 B O T Softnefs or hardnefs of texture, elafticity, inflammability, aftringency, colour, he. Hence fome plants are proper for domeftic utenfils, others for dying, tanning, he. Some may be apt to think that qualities of this kind are not tite proper objeds of botany. But if the natural hiftorian be at liberty to negled-ufeful qualities, he deferves little thanks for expatiating on thofe that are ufelefs. It would be foreign to our defign in this place, to enumerate the particular plants that are ufed for the various purpofes of the mechanic. We fliall however, by way of fpecimen, fubjoin a lifl of plants that change the colour of cloths and other fubftances. List 0/Dying Plants. YELLOW. Curcuma, or turmeric. This plant grows in the Eaft Indies; the root of it tinges a rich yellow colour; but it is not very durable. Rumex maritimus, or golden dock, grows on roadfides, he. The root dyes a fine yellow. Thalidrum flavum, or meadow-rue, grows in marfhes, on the banks of rivers, he. Both the root and the leaves dye a very deep yellow. Urtica dioica, or common nettle. The country people dye eggs a beautiful yellow with tbe roots of this plant at the feaft of Ealler. Santalum album, or white fanders. The wood of this tree, which is a native of the Eall Indies,' dyes a good yellow. LawCmia inermis, or alkanna, is-a fmall flirub cultivated in Alia and Africa. The Hem and branches of this plant afford an excellent yellow; the natives paint their bodies with it. The root, prepared with quick-lime, gives a fine fhining red. The natives ufe it for dying their teeth, nails, faces, the mains of their horfes, leather, he. Morus tindoria, or fuflic, grows in America. The wood of this tree is in great efteem among dyers for the fine yellow it affords. Rhamnus frangula, or the black berry-bearing alder, grows in woods and hedges. The bark ringes a dull yellow ; and the unripe berries dye woollen fluffs green. Rhamnus catharticus, or purging buck-thorn, grows wild in woods and hedges. The bark gives a beautiful ytllow. Rhamnus minor, grows in the fouthern parts of Europe. The berries give an excfellent yellow. Rhus Coriaria, of ftnnach, grows in Italy, he. The bark of the ftem gives a yellow colour, and the bark of the root a yellowifh red. Berberis vulgaris, barberry* or pipperidge-bufh. The root of this plant gives an excellent yellow to cloth ; and the bark gives leather a beautiful yellow colour. Pruhus domeftica, or common plumb-tree. The country people ufe the bark for dying their cloth yellow. Pyrus malus, or apple-tree. The dyers ufe the bark for giving cloth a yellow colour. Carpinus betulus, the horn or hard beam tree, horfe or horrvbeach tree, grows in v/oods. The bark is ufed as a yellow dye. Vol. I. No. 27. 3

A N Y. Refeda luteola, or bafe-rocket, grows in pallure grounds, meadows, and efpecially on a chalky foil; This herb, which is a native of Scotland, gives cloth a moft beautiful yellow colour, and is much ufed by dyers, who import it in large quantities, though it might be eaiily cultivated in our own country. Serratula tindloria, or faw-wort, grows in woods and meadows. This plant gives the fame colour with the refeda, and, though not fo beautiful, is much uled by dyers. Hierachium umbellatum, or narrow-leaved bufhy hawkweed, grows in woods, hedges, and gravelly foils. This plant gives a very fine yellow. Acanthus mollis, is a native of Italy. It appears that this plant was ufed by the ancients for dying yellow-: Et circumtextum croceo vetamen acantbo, Yirg. Bidens tripartita, or trifid water hemp-agrimony, grows in marfhy places. This plant gives a pre«tty elegant yellow. Xanthium flrumarium, or leffer burdock, grows near dunghills. When this plant is boiled entire, together with the fruit, it gives a pretty good yellow. Salix pentandra, or fweet willow. The dried leaves give a fine yellow. Bettila alba, or birch-tree. The leaves give a faint yellow colour to cloth. Stachys filvatica, or hedge-nettle, grows in woods and hedges, and gives a yellow colour to cloth. Centaurea jacea, or common knapweed, grows in pa-* fture and barren grounds. This pTant is often ufed as a fuccedaneum for the ferratula orfaw-woft. Polygonum perficaria, dead or fpotted arfmart, grows in corn-fields, he. and dyes cloth yellow. Lyfimacha vulgaris, yellow willow-herb, or loofe-Arife, grows in marlhes, and on the banks of rivers. This herb laid to dye yellow. Scabiofa fuccifa, or devil’s-bit, grows in meadows and paflure-grounds, The dried leaves give a yellow colour p but it is feldom ufed. Anthyllus vulneraria, kidney-vetch, or ladies-finger, grows on dry pafture-grounds. The country people ufethis plant for dying their cloth yellow. Lichen juniperus, or juniper-liverwort, grows-on thetrunks and branches of trees. Lichen parietinus, or commoft liver-wort, grows on walls and the bark of trees. Lichen candelarius, or yellow liverwort. Thefe three fpecies of liverwort are ufed by the common people for dying their fluffs yellow. Anthemis tindloria, or common ox-eye, grows on high grounds. The flowers give a bright yellow colour. Chterophyllum fylveflre, wild cicely* or cow-weed, grows in hedges, he. The umbel or tops and flowers of this plant give an excellent yellow. Thafpia villofa, or deadly carrot, grows in Spain and its umbel is ufed as a yellow dye by the inhabitants of that country. - . .. : Genifta timfloria, green -wood, dyers-weed or v/cadwaxen, grows in pafture-grounds, he. The flowers are much .ufed as a yellow dye. Hypericum perforatum, or St. John’s wort, grows among brulh-wood and in hedges. The flowers are ufed as a yellow dye, but it is-not much efteemed. Calen7 X