204 '^HE PLANT WORLD. 



The castor oil plant is well known to us as an ornamental plant of 

 our gardens. Riciniis communis is the botanical name. It is a native 

 of India, where its leaves are sometimes used as food for silkworms. 

 It has been found in Egyptian tombs, 4,000 years old, showing that 

 the use of castor oil is ancient. Probably its use in those times was 

 confined to burning in lamps. 



Palm oil used for soap and candles is obtained from several palms, 

 the principal being Eloesis giiincejisis, a low tree, seldom over 20 feet 

 high. The date-like fruit grows in dense bunches. In Ashantee and 

 Dahomey this tree grows plentifully, promising an abundant supply 

 for all demands. 



From a spurge called candle-nut tree [Alctirites triloba), indig- 

 enous to tropical Asia, is obtained a hard nut which atTords a valua- 

 ble oil for burning in lamps. The natives string the kernels on a 

 stick, and use them like candles. 



The seeds of sunflowers are said to afford a salad oil equal to 

 olive. Wood-oil is found in Diptcrocarpus tiirbinatiis, a magnificent 

 tree 200 feet in height, a native of lower India. Its trunk often meas- 

 ures ten feet in circumference. To obtain the oil a deep notch is 

 made in the tree, near the ground, under which a fire is kindled and 

 allowed to burn till the wood is charred. It is used in medicine and 

 making varnish, and as a substitute for spirits of wine. There are 

 other trees of less importance which yield wood-oil. 



An oil sold to pilgrims as a cure for all cutaneous evils, by the 

 Arabs, is expressed from the fruit of Balanites yEgyptica, a small tree 

 found in the east. 



Croton oil comes from Croton tigliitm, a shrub of the Enphorb- 

 iacccz. It is a pungent and powerful oil, which, given in large quan- 

 tities, may produce death. If taken into the mouth raw, it leaves a 

 burning in the throat for long afterwards. 



Almond oil, containing large quantities of olein, is obtained from 

 the nuts of sweet and bitter almonds. It is bland and pale in color, 

 with a sweet and nutty taste. It is adulterated with peach kernel oil. 

 The almonds are brought from southern Europe to England, and the 

 oil is expressed there. It is used mainly in manufacturing fine grades 

 of soap. 



Ben oil is obtained from seeds of Moringa pterygosperma and M. 

 apt era. It does not easily become rancid. It is used as salad oil, also 

 as a lubricant for watches and fine machinery. 



\To be Continued.^ 



Dr. J. N. Rose has returned from his collecting trip in Mexico, 

 having secured much valuable material. 



