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in spring. It attains to a height of 3-4 fts. It bears blue flowers
in summer and autumn. They are picked every morning and
pressed to papers, which are called Aigami (indigo paper). The
colour is
very fine, but liable to fade.
381. Miscanthus chrysantes, Max., Jap. Kari-yasu ;
a perennial wild grass growing about 3 fts. high. The panicles
resemble those of Kularia, but are mostly divided into 3 parts.
They are cut, dried, and preserved as a yellow dye.
382. Arthraxon Ciliare, Beauv., Jap. Kobuna-gnsa,
Rachijo-kariyasu ; a perennial wild grass. Its fine procumbent
stems creep over the ground, stand upright at the end, and bring
forth panicles in several divisions. Formerly this herb was used
as a ^fellow dye, but now only used in the Rachijo iceland
silk.
to dye
383. Rhus semialata, Murray., var. osbeckii., DC., Jap.
Nurude, Fv.shi-no-ki, Katsu-jw-ki ; a deciduous wild tree of the
order Anacardiaceaa growing to a height of about 10 fts. In
summer, it yields fine little flowers disposed in panicles, being
succeeded with small fruits. Small insects come and stain the
fruits with salt-like white powder. Thus the upper or lower
surface of the leaves swells up, and finally brown galls rich in
tannin are formed. The galls are much esteemed for dying and
other numerous purposes.
CHAPTER XIII
ODOROUS PLANTS.
This Chapter includes those plants, the flowers of which are
esteemed for their fragrance, being used to put them in scent bags
or to give water their odour. There are also included those which
have fragrant fruits, leaves, stems, or roots, but those described in
the chapter of condiments and spices are excluded here.
384. Magnolia kobus, DC., Jap, Kobushi ; a deciduous
wild tree of the order Magnoliaceas, growing 1-2 fts. high. In'