136 PHILIPPINE RESINS, GUMS, AND OILS 
by a thin, white, papery seed coat. When dry the kernel with ‘ 
the thin seed coat shrinks slightly away from the shell, so that 
the shell and kernel are easily separated. The kernels, when 
fresh, have a pleasant nutty flavor, but leave a burning sensa- 
tion in mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach; even a part of 
one nut may cause either violent vomiting within half an hour 
or else a terrific diarrhoea, beginning within a few hours after 
eating and lasting from 12 to 24 hours. 
This species is a native of the Philippines and is not found 
outside of the Archipelago. It is apparently not abundant, but 
quantities sufficient for extensive planting can be secured every 
year. 
Genus CROTON 
CROTON TIGLIUM L. (Fig. 47). CROTON OIL PLANT. 
Local names: Gasi (Zambales); kamaisé (Rizal, Mindoro); kamausd 
(Bulacan); kasléd (Balabac Island); makasld (Busuanga Island); malapi 
(Basilan) ; marachuite (Ilocos Sur); saligau (Union, Benguet, Cagayan) ; 
tuba (Negros, Camarines, Sorsogon, Samar, Cagayan, Marinduque, Leyte, 
Rizal, Mindoro, Tayabas); tubang-makaisd (Tayabas, Camarines); tuba- 
tuba (Negros, Camarines) ; tubli (Lanao). 
CROTON OIL 
The seeds of this plant yield the croton oil of commerce, which 
is used chiefly in pharmaceutical preparations. The fruits or 
crushed leaves of this species are used in poisoning fishes. When 
the seeds are used for this purpose, they are pulverized and put 
in sacks which are placed in ponds or rivers. 
According to Lewkowitsch,* the seeds of Croton tiglium yield 
53 to 56 per cent of croton oil. The oil has a yellow, orange, 
or brown color, according to its age. It has a nauseous odor, 
a burning taste, and acts as a very powerful purgative. It dis- 
solves in petroleum ether in all proportions, differing in this 
respect from castor oil. It has the following constants (Lew- 
kowitsch) : 
Specific eravity (15°). 2 eee 0.9437 
Solidif yane point ss. ee ee ee ee —TT° 
Saponification value (Mgrms KOH)..............--.-.--.- 192.9-215.6 
Todines Valtey- 2x. ee ee ee a eee 101.7-109.1 
Reichert-Meissl] value (CC.1/10 KOH) .......-......-... 12.1-13.56 
Refractive: index. \(26°)i:c- 3s. oe eee 1.4781 
Oleo-refractometer. (22°). 2/2. 2 +35° 
Butyro-retractometer (27>)... eee eee 68°—77.5° 
Croton tiglium is a shrub or very small tree. The leaves are 
alternate, usually somewhat rounded at the base, pointed at the 
tip, with toothed margins, and from 7 to 12 centimeters in length. 

* Lewkowitsch, J., Oils, fats, and waxes (1915). 
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