154 Miscellaneous. 



been separated in the manner described. The kernel and the husk 

 covering it are ground between two stones, which are heated to prevent 

 clogging from the sebaceous matter still adhering. The mass is then 

 placed in a winnowing machine, precisely like those in common use 

 in other countries. The chaiF being separated exposes the white 

 oleaginous kernels, which after being steamed are placed in a mill to 

 be mashed. This machine is formed of a circular stone groove, 

 twelve feet in diameter, three inches deep and about as many wide, 

 into which a thick solid stone wheel, eight feet in diameter, tapering 

 at the edge, is made to revolve perpendicularly by an ox harnessed to 

 the outer end of its axle, the inner turning on a pivot in the centre 

 of the machine. Under this ponderous weight the seeds are reduced 

 to a mealy state ; they are then steamed in the tubs, formed into 

 cakes, and pressed by wedges in the manner above described, the 

 process of mashing, steaming, and pressing being repeated with the 

 kernels likewise. The kernels yield above thirty per cent, of oil, and 

 it sells for a little more than three cents per pound. It is called 

 Tsing-yu, and answers well for lamps, though inferior for this purpose 

 to some other vegetable oils in use. It is also employed for various 

 purposes in the arts, and has a place in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 

 because of its quality of changing gray hair black, and other imaginary 

 virtues. The husk which envelopes the kernels, and the shell which 

 incloses them with their sebaceous covering, are used to feed the 

 furnaces, scarcely any other fuel being needed for this purpose. The 

 residuary tallow cakes are also employed for fuel, as a small quantity 

 of it remains ignited a whole day. It is in great demand for chafing 

 dishes in the cold weather. And finally, the cakes which remain 

 after the oil has been pressed out are much valued as a manure, 

 particularly for tobacco fields, the soil of which is rapidly impoverished 

 by the Virginia weed. Artificial illumination is generally procured 

 in China by vegetable oils, but candles are also employed by those 

 who can afford it, and for lanterns. In religious ceremonies no other 

 material is used. As no one ventures out after dark without a lan- 

 tern, and as the gods cannot be acceptably worshiped without 

 candles, the quantity consumed is very great. With an unimportant 

 exception, the candles are also made of what I beg to designate as 

 vegetable stearine. When the candles, which are made by dipping, 

 are of the required diameter, they receive a final dip into a mixture 

 of the same material and insect-wax, by which their consistency is 

 preserved in the hottest weather. They are generally coloured red, 

 which is done by throwing a minute quantity of alkanet root {An- 

 chusa tinctoria), brought from Shangtung, into the mixture, which 

 forms the coating of the candle : verdigris is sometimes employed to 

 dye them green. The wicks are made of rush, coiled round a stem 

 of coarse grass, the lower part of which is slit to receive the pin of 

 the candlestick, which is more economical than if put into a socket. 

 Tested in the mode recommended by Count Rumford, these candles 

 compare favourably with those made from spermaceti, but not when 

 the clumsy wick of the Chinese is used. They cost about eight cents 

 per pound. 



