will yield more satisfactory results than any other for this purpose, provided—and the proviso is all important—that the materials are all of the very best quality, and the "artist" fully equal to the emergency.
Next to nitrate of silver, the walnut dyes are to be placed. They yield various shades of brown, according to their strength, and are quite innocent, but are objectionable on account of staining the skin. They can be prepared in the domestic laboratory by boiling in but little water the hulls of green walnuts (Juglans nigra), and straining and bottling the decoction. The hair should be thoroughly cleansed by a wash containing ammonia (very weak, always, as a strong solution is harmful), and the dye applied with a tooth-brush. An elegant dye is prepared by some pharmaceutists from the extract of green walnuts, which can be purchased with full directions for its use.
Vast quantities of sugar of lead have been used of late years for a dye. It is usually compounded with glycerine, water, flowers of sulphur, and some aromatic and coloring substances. This is the composition of nine out of ten of the hair restorers, hair tonics, and hair washes, so loudly advertised all over the country.
No doubt the lead and sulphur do darken the hair, but the color they yield is a dirty brown, not at all natural or pleasing. This is not all. We must condemn this mixture, or any mixture for this purpose containing lead, as dangerous to health and life. Seve-
