Annotto

or Arnatto, a coloring material. It is obtained from the pulp of the berries of the arnatto. The latter is a small tree growing in tropical America. The West Indies are the chief source of supply. The Indians rub annotto on their bodies as a defense against mosquitoes. Annotto is brought to market in brown cakes. It is the accepted coloring used by dairymen to give butter and cheese a rich yellow, palatable appearance. Annotto is used as a dye for silks, woolens, and cotton goods. It may be employed to deepen the yellow of lacquer and varnishes. It is a remedy, it is claimed, in case of fever.