On Some Processes in use Among the Huron Indians in Dyeing,

 

By William Green

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, Original Series, Volume 2 (1831)]

 

Among the Hurons of Lorette, the females exclusively practice the art of dyeing.

 

The substances which are the subjects of their art are chiefly porcupine-quills, elk-hair and leather.

 

Their red is extracted from the root of tsa-voo-yan, (galium). The spike which consists of the seeds of the sumach with their pericarp and the stalks to which they are attached, are washed in cold water to clean them. They are then boiled in soft water. When this water has become of a deep brownish red, it is strained through flannel. The root of tsa-voo-yan pulverized is infused in the sumach water. The porcupine-quill or elk-hair is then introduced, and the temperature gradually raised to the boiling point, and there sustained a quarter of an hour. It is then taken out and rinced in soft water, and then it is soaked for a short time in weak soap and water. It is then washed in pure water warm. The red thus dyed is a deep scarlet and durable. For lighter tints the time of infusion is shorter. The subject is then wrapped up in flannel and dried. When so dried it retains its roundness. Had it been dried in the open air, even without light, it would have become flattened and contorted.

 

Their yellow is of a pure hue, rather pale and very dur­able. The seeds of ootsigooara osookwa, (myrica gale,) are pounded and mixed with water, and boiled for a quarter of an hour. The procupine-quill or elk-hair is then in­troduced and the ebullition continued for another quarter of an hour. It is then withdrawn and washed in soap and water and then in pure water. It is then dried with the precaution mentioned in the former case.

 

Their blue is extracted from green baize. The baize is boiled in pure water. When the water has become of a deep blue the subject is introduced together with a little alum in powder. They are then brought to the boiling point, and the the boiling is continued a quarter of an hour, when the sub­ject is washed in pure water. It is essential that the baize be old, or have been much worn. It then retains its yellow and parts with its blue in this process. But if the stuff be new, it parts with both these colours. The blue dyed by the Indians of the interior is deeper than the above, and is said by the Hurons to be derived from indigenous plants, no longer known to the latter.

 

Green is dyed by boiling a subject previously dyed yellow, as above, in the blue decoction above described.

 

Brown is dyed with the husk of the butter-nut, (juglans cathartica.)

 

Black, with the husk of that nut or with the bark of alder or of maple, with sulphate of iron. If with the first the black inclines to brown, if with the second it is pur­plish, and bluish with the last.

 

In all their dyeing processes the Hurons avoid bringing iron into contact with their materials, and use vessels of polished copper.