DYES FROM NATIVE LICHENS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 4

DYES FROM NATIVE LICHENS

EXPERIMENT'S AT DAWSON FALLS. (‘By a Visitor to the Hostel.) A series of experiments in extracting dyes from the native lichens on Mt. ‘Egmont has recently been carried out at the Dawson'Falls Hostel. Sixteen different kinds were tried, all yielding colours which included black, green, orange, nigger brown, several shades of brownish yellow, several of buff, and a reddish brown. ’ The lichens were collected, soaked in soft water over night and 'boiled with white wool for two to three hours. The ■weight of lichen used had to be about twice that of the wool unless pale shades were desired. The depth of colour varied according to the amount of lichen used and the length of time of boiling. In some cases the dyes had previously been proved to ‘be fast to light and soap, and it is believed that all the colours are permanent. They are substantive dyes and require no mordant to fix them, as is also the case with the dye from berberis bark and wood. They dye wool readily, silk not so easily and cotton not at all. After the boiling the wool was rinsed well, hung out to dry and required no further treatment.

Pressed specimens of the lichens have been mounted with • the corresponding coloured wool and these are to be kept at the hostel, where those who are interested may- see them. Some varieties are also found on old fence posts, old apple trees and the banks of certain trees and fallen logs.