164 PHILIPPINE RESINS, GUMS, AND OILS 
to remain on the kernels. He concludes by remarking on the ornamental 
nature and utility of the tree for many other purposes, and recommends 
that it should be more extensively planted. A sample of the oil thus 
prepared was submitted for examination to Dr. Mouat, who reported as 
follows:—“I have compared the specimen with a good muster of the or- 
dinary European almond oil in my possession, and find that in taste, smell, 
and specific gravity, the former is very similar to the latter, but is deeper 
in colour, becomes turbid in keeping, and deposits a quantity of white 
stearic matter. For most ordinary purposes, medicinal and otherwise, the 
former, I think, might profitably be substituted for the latter in this 
country, and, if expressed with greater care and freed from every impurity, 
might become an article of commercial value and importance” (Journ. 
Agri.-Hort. Soc. Ind., ii.). Though easily made edible and pleasant in 
flavour, it appears to have been entirely neglected by the Natives, who are 
ignorant as to its existence. . 
Terminalia catappa is a tree reaching a height of 25 meters. 
The leaves are 10 to 25 centimeters long, smooth, shiny, some- 
what abruptly pointed at the tip, larger near the tip than near 
the base, tapering to a narrow, rounded or heart-shaped base. 
The flowers are small, white, and on axillary spikes 6 to 18 cen- 
timeters long. 
This species is distributed near the seashore from northern 
Luzon to southern Mindanao, and is cultivated to some extent 
in and about Manila and many provincial towns as a shade tree. 
Family SAPOTACEAE 
Genus BASSIA 
BASSIA BETIS (Blanco) Merr. (Figs. 56, 57). BETIS. 
Local names: Banitis (Camarines); bétis (Rizal, Tayabas, Camarines) ; 
betis-lalaki (Tayabas) ; manilig (Moro, Cotabato); pdsak (Manila lumber- 
yards) ; pianga (Cagayan, Isabela). 
BETIS OIL « 
The fruit of this tree contains an oil used locally as an 
illuminant. 
Bassia betis is a tree reaching a height of about 30 meters 
and a diameter of about 1 meter. The leaves are smooth on the 
upper surface and very hairy below. They are pointed at both 
ends and about 20 to 25 centimeters in length. The flowers and 
fruits are borne in rounded clusters. The stalks of the flowers 
and fruits are about 3 centimeters long. The flower, exclusive 
of the long style, is about 1.5 centimeters in length. The fruit 
is somewhat oval, and 3 or 4 centimeters in length. 
This species is distributed from Luzon to Mindanao. 
