180 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
fennel, a native of Europe, where it is grown for its fruit, from which 
is produced an aromatic oil, which also has carminative properties. 
Jatropha oil is obtained from the seeds of Curcas purgans (Luphorbi- 
acee,) or physie nut, a tropical tree found on the Philippine Islands, 
where the seeds are collected for the purpose of expressing the oil which 
they contain. The oil is said to be sometimes boiled with oxide of iron 
and used by the Chinese as a varnish. It is of a light color, and has 
been used as a substitute for linseed oil, as well as for burning in lamps, 
and for other purposes. Its qualities differ but little from those of cas- 
tor oil, according to medical authorities, and twelve to fifteen drops are 
equal to an ounce of castor oil. 
Lavender oil is produced by Lavendula vera, (Labiaic,) a small shrub 
from the south of Hurope, which is cultivated for the sake of its agreeable 
perfume. The essential oil is procured by distillation from the flowers. 
When dissolved in spirits of wine, and mixed with other perfumes, it 
forms lavender water. The red lavender drops of druggists consist ot 
a spiritous solution of the oils of lavender and rosemary, mixed with 
certain aromatic and coloring materials. They are frequently used as a 
stimulant and cordial in cases of hysteria or faintness. Another species, 
L. spica, yields oil of spike, which is of a darker color and of a less 
agreeable perfume than the true oil of lavender. The oil procured from 
this plant is used by painters on porcelain, and by artists in the - 
preparation of varnishes. 
Simbolee oil is extracted from the seeds of Bergera Konigi, (Aurantia- 
cece,) a small tree known in India as the curry-leaf tree, being used by 
the natives to flavor their curries with its aromatic fragrantleaves. The 
oil is used medicinally. : 
Linseed oil.—This well known oil is pressed from the seeds of Linum 
usitatissimum, (Linaceew,) the valuable flax plant that has been cultivated 
from time immemorial. The first quality of oil is produced by simple 
pressure of the seeds, and is termed cold drawn; but the ordinary oil is 
obtained by breaking up, beating, and repressing the cake left after the 
first process. It is a non-drying oil, but by boiling with sugar of 
lead, red lead, or white vitriol, it is converted into a drying oil fit for 
the use of painters, who use it in large quantities. The seeds contain a 
mucilage which, dissolved in water, is demulcent and emollient. 
Marking oil.—This is obtained from the pericarps or shell of the fruit 
of Semicarpus anacardium, (Anacardiace,) an Indian tree termed the 
marking-nut tree. The hard shell of the fruit yields an oly juice, which, 
when mixed with lime, leaves an indelible mark on cloth. The seeds 
are used as an article of food, and are known as Malacca beans. From 
the seeds an oil is expressed which is used by printers, and when dry 
forms a black varnish used in the arts. 
Sunflower otl, Helianthus annuus, (Composiic.)—This well-known flow- 
ering plant is in some places very extensively cultivated for the oil con- 
tained in its seeds. The oil is palatable, clear, and flavorless; and when 
properly purified is used for the purpose of salad oil, or its adulteration. 
In Tartary the larger seeds are boiled and eaten, and in many districts 
they are used for fattening poultry, a purpose to which they are well 
adapted. es? 
Poppy-seed oil.—The opium poppy, Papaver somniferun, (Papaveracec,) 
is an annual plant originally from the Levant, but now cultivated in 
different portions of the globe. The ripe seeds yield by expression over 
50 per cent. of oil, which is bland and said to be used in adulterating 
olive oil. It is used by painters, and dries readily. It is much used in 
