12 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



to a height of 30 feet, bears terminal spikes of red flowers, 

 during the hot and rain^^ months, succeeded in November 

 and December bj^ hard, brown capsules, each containing 

 three cells, in which are emljedded the seeds. The seeds 

 are coated with a thick, white, w^axj" substance, which is 

 the source of the vegetable tallow^ of commerce. The tree, 

 it should be mentioned, luxuriates in damp places, especi- 

 ally when planted along the banks of streams, in rich soil 

 containing humus ; but it grows equalh- well in sandy 

 soils and on the acclivities of mountains. According to 

 Mr, J. S. Gamble, the tree is of very rapid growth in India, 

 gaining an inch of radius in six months. It also attains 

 a very respectable antiquity" ; in China trees are known 

 to be several hundred years old, which go on yielding all 

 the time. 



Mr. Hooper goes into considerable detail as to the 

 "fats" surrounding the seeds, w^iich form the "vegetable 

 tallow" of commerce. These fats keep their color for any 

 length of time. In China the}' are used for making 

 candles, soap and dressing cloth. For candle making it is 

 mixed wath w-hite insect wax in the proportion of three 

 parts wax to ten parts tallow. Candles so made burn 

 with a clear inodorous smokeless flame. It appears to us 

 that in a country like India, where caste prejudices rule 

 high, soap made from this tallow would command a ready 

 market. In addition to tallow, the kernel of the seed 

 yields fifty per cent, of a brownish-yellow oil, used in 

 China for burning and the preparation of varnishes for 

 umbrellas, to render them waterproof. The oil dries very 

 quickly. The chemical tests applied b}" Mr. Hooper show" 

 that the oil approaches linseed oil in character, and 

 posseess a high saponification character. The commercial 

 value of the tallow is about five cents per pound, and of 

 the oil three cents per pound. — Indian Planting and Gar- 

 dening. 



