138 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) ; kamaisd (Rizal, Mindoro) ; kamausd 

 (Bulacan) ; kasld (Balabac Island) ; nmkasld (Busuanga Island) ; malapi 

 (Basilan) ; rnarachnite (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 Cy^oton 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 gravity (15") 0.9437 



Solidifying point — 7° 



Saponification value (Mgrms KOH) 192.9-215.6 



Iodine value 101.7-109.1 



Reichert-Meissl value (CC.1/10 KOH) 12.1-13.56 



Refractive index (26°) 1.4781 



Oleo-refractometer (22°) +35° 



Butyro-refractometer (27°) 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). 



