Bixa Orellana

Arnotta plant. This plant is a native of South

America, but has been introduced and cultivated both in the West

and East Indies. It bears bunches of pink-colored flowers, which

are followed by oblong bristled pods. The seeds are thinly coated

with red, waxy pulp, which is separated by stirring them in water

until it is detached, when it is strained off and evaporated to

the consistence of putty, when it is made up into rolls; in this

condition it is known as flag or roll arnotta, but when thoroughly

dried it is made into cakes and sold as cake arnotta. It is much

used by the South American Caribs and other tribes of Indians for

painting their bodies, paint being almost their only article of

clothing. As a commercial article it is mainly used as a coloring

for cheese, butter, and inferior chocolates, to all of which it

gives the required tinge without imparting any unpleasant flavor

or unwholesome quality. It is also used in imparting rich orange

and gold-colored tints to various kinds of varnishes.