THIS Indigo is also the Meal, or Flower, made from the Anil, which differs not from the former, but as it is made of the whole Plant, Stalk and Leaf; the best of which Kind is that which bears the Name of Gatimalo, which comes from the East-Indies, and whose Excellencies are discover'd in its being lighter, less hard, and in boiling, that it swims upon the Water.
The second sort of this Indigo is that of St. Domingo, which differs not from the Gatimalo, only that it is not of so lively a Colour. The third is the Jamaica Indigo, that is brought to England. The fourth is hat of the Leeward Isles, and all the sorts, which are better or worse according as they are more or less neat and pure; for those who make this, mix it maliciously sometimes with Sand and Dirt; but the Cheat is easy to discover, in that the Indigo, which is fine and neat, will burn like Wax; and when the Indigo is burnt, the Earth or Sand will be left behind. M. Tavernier observes, in this Book, Page 242. that the Indigo Dust is so subtile, and so have penetrating, that those who sift it are obliged to have their Face cover'd, and drink Whey very often: And to confirm this, and make good the Penetration of the Indigo-Powder, he says, having put several Times an Egg, in the Morning, near the Sifters of Indigo, and at Night breaking it, the Inside should be all stain'd thro' with a blue Colour. This is us'd only by the Dyers.
Anil, Gili, Five Nil, herba rorismarini facie, or Indigo-HERB resembling Rosemary, is a Plant of Brasil, about two Foot high, the Leaves round and pretty thick. The Flowers are like those of Pease, reddish, and succeeded by long crooked Pods, containing in them Seeds like Radish-Seed, of an Olive Colour. all the Plant has a bitter piquant Taste. Of this they make Indigo. The Leaf is reckon'd to be vulnerary, and proper to deterge and cleanse old Ulcers, being applied to the Part in Powder; likewise there may be a Frontal made of it to asswage and abate Pains in the Head.
The Indicum, so call'd, because this is prepared only in the Eaft-Indies, is a blue Flower, or Meal, brought from thence, made only of the Leaves of the Anil, by the Means of Water, and a little Oil-Olive, [as taught before.] There are several Kinds of it, but the best is that of Serquiffe, call'd so from a Village of that Name, where is is made. The next is that of Agra, ma in shape of a chiefnut, from whence it is ed so.
There is a Meal made of Anil, that is only distinguished from the Indicum spoke of before, as being made out of the entire Plant. Chuse such of this as is the lighteft, neat, and clean, moderately hard, and of a fine bright Colour, and that will swim upon the Water, and flame in the Fire till it is almost all consumed.