Account of a new species of nerium, the leaves of which yield indigo ... To which is added, a brief account of ... experiments made ... to throw ... light on the theory of that artificial reproduction. Also descriptions of two other plants, which yield indigo, and of one from Pegu, said to yield a green dye / [William Roxburgh].

  • Roxburgh, William, 1751-1815.
Date:
[1811]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Account of a new species of nerium, the leaves of which yield indigo ... To which is added, a brief account of ... experiments made ... to throw ... light on the theory of that artificial reproduction. Also descriptions of two other plants, which yield indigo, and of one from Pegu, said to yield a green dye / [William Roxburgh]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/76 (page 252)
    circumstances, arising from innumerable experiments and repeated enquiry, have come to my knowledge respecting vation of the more common annual different species of indigo (hitherto ge¬ nerally recurred to within the Company’s Provinces,) are subject, being from their nature more exposed to failures from an unfavorable spring or disastrous season. From the annexed description of this tree, furnished by Dr. Roxburgh, it appears to be of the Genus Nerium, and will probably be found on our S. W. frontier. “ Of the seeds of this tree received, part have been sent to the collector* of Bhaugulpore and Gyah, and some hundred plants are now' raising in the Company’s garden, so that we shall be enabled to avail ourselves of this additional resource by a general distribution, during the present season, to the several indigo planters within the provinces, of which public notice may be given (on requisition being made) to take place in the course of the month of August, by which time we shall also be enabled to obtain a com¬ parative estimate of its productive qualities, with the other species now in use. <( Should the avocations of Administration at any time permit them to descend to the examination of the situation and soil of the hilly tract, on which the residence of the collectorship of Hidgellee is situated, as described^ in the Diary of the tour through part of the tract in the year 1789, submit¬ ted on the occasion of an imperfect attempt to examine the maritime pro¬ ductions of that province, it will be perceived that that very uncommonly situated region is particularly adapted to the cultivation of this species of indigo. But I learn from the collector, that the greatest part of this tract (although in extent between twenty and thirty coss) is productive of little or no revenue to the soi disant possessor, the Ranny of --; but I am wandering from the only subject which can entitle me to occupy the atten¬ tion of the Board. The report of a new species of indigo brought under notice by the discernment and researches of Dr. Roxburgh, and I crave pardon for a digression from the subject into w hich I have been involun¬ tarily led, u I have the honor to be, “ &c. &c. [In consequence the paper was printed in Calcutta by order of Govern¬ ment, together with a very clear and satisfactory account of the method of making indigo from the common indigo plant, (indigo fera tinctorea,) as practised at Singatollah, near Malda.] the