37S 



tAST IMDIA TJUTTER TItfcF. 



Account of 

 the tree. 



Native count n 



Nut 



Mr. Gott's account of the tree, and its product, is at 

 follows t — 



The tree producing a fat-like substance, known in this 

 country by the name of phulicah, is a native of the Almo- 

 rah hills, and known there by the same name. The tree i* 

 *earce, grows on a strong soil, on the declivities of the 

 southern aspects of the hills below Almorah, generally at- 

 taining the height, when full grown, of fifty feet, with a 

 circumference of six. The bark, of such specimens as I 

 have been able to obtain, is inclined to smoothness, and 

 speckled ; it flowers in January, and the seed is perfect 

 about August, at which time the natives collect them, for 

 the purpose of extracting the above substance. On opening 

 the shell of the seed or nut, which is of a fine chesnut co- 

 lour, smooth, and brittle, the kernel appears of the size 

 and shape of a blanched almond; the kernels are bruised, 

 Fat exprrsscd. on a smooth stone, to the consistency of cream, or of a 

 fine pulpy matter ; which is then put into a cloth bag, 

 with a moderate weight laid on, and left to stand, till the 

 oil, or fat, is expressed, which becomes immediately of the 

 consistency of hog's-lard, and is of a delicate white colour. 

 Its uses are in medicine; being highly esteemed in rheuma-» 

 tlsm, and contractions of the limbs. It is is also much 

 esteemed, and used by the natives of rank, as an unction, 

 for which purpose, it is generally mixed with an utr of 

 some kind. Except the fruit, which is not much esteemed, 

 no other part of the tree is used. 



This tree is supposed to bear a strong affinity to the 

 mawa, (madhuca, or bassia latifolia;) but the oil or fat, 

 extracted from the seeds, difiers very materially. The oil 

 from the maica is of a greenish yellow colour, and seldom 

 congeals. That from the phulicah congeals immediately 

 after expression, is perfectly colourless; and, in the hottest 

 weather, if melted by art, will, on being left to cool, re- 

 sume its former consistency. The oil from the seed of the 

 mazca, if rubbed on woollen cloth, leaves as strong a stain 

 as other oils or animal fat. The fatty substance from the 

 phuhcah, if pure, being rubbed on woollen cloth, will 

 leave no trace behind. 



Th<| 



Use. 



Its difference 

 from oil of 

 mavra. 



