114 



oil is specially applicable for lubricating watch-springs and other 

 delicate machinery." The following constants were determined : 

 Specific gravity at I5°c. (water at 15'c. — l) 0' 91267 



Iodine value ... ... 72' 2 



Iodine value of the liquid fatty acids 97' 53 



Refraction (butyro-refractometer) ... 500' 



A sample of pods and seeds which were identified as those of 

 Moringa pterygospcrma has been received recently at the Imperial 

 Institute from Northern Nigeria. On e.xamination in the Scientific 

 and Technical Department, the seeds were found to contain 38 

 per cent, of a pale yellow oil which was almost odourless, and 

 possessed a bland agreeable taste. This oil (obtained by extrac- 

 tion with ether) consisted of a liquid and a solid portion which 

 were separated by filtration at 17 to iS^c. and separately examined. 

 The analytical constants of these two portions are given in the 

 following table : — 



Liquid p rtions. Solid portions. 



Specific gravity at I5"c. ... 



Acid value 



Free fatty acids (calculated as 

 oleic acid) 



Saponification value 



Ether value 



Iodine value 

 Samples of the seed and of the oil were submitted to brokers 

 for valuation. They reported that in order to obtain trustworthy 

 commercial quotations, large samples of the oil would be neces- 

 sary for practical trials, and that if the results of these trials 

 proved satisfactory the oil would probably be able to compete for 

 edible and culinary purposes with American refined cotton seed 

 oil, which is at present worth about £22 per ton. The seeds were 

 valued at about £7 per ton delivered in London. 



Another sample of Ben oil from Jamaica was received at the 

 Imperial Institute in December, 1903. It had a very slight, 

 pleasant odour, and an agreeable taste. On examination in the 

 Scientific and Technical Department it yielded the following re- 

 sults. When filtered at I7°c. it was found that 60 per cent, of the 

 material was liquid, whilst the remaining 40 per cent, consisted of 

 a nearly white solid fat. The liquid portions was clear, bright 

 and of a pale yellow colour. The constants of these two portions 

 were found to be as follows : — 



* Compared with water at lo'c. 



