THE PALMS OF EUROPE AND AFllICA. G9 



in many other great improvements, that so 

 simple a plan should not have been thought of 

 sooner. 



Such is a slight sketch of the application 

 of palm oil to the purpose of candle-making ; 

 and when we further state that these candles 

 can be retailed at prices from sevenpence- 

 halfpenny per pound and upwards, according 

 to the quality, that they recpire no snuffing, 

 that they give a far greater light than any 

 tallow candle, and burn longer than the best 

 moulds, it gives us a good idea of the useful 

 applications of sciences Avhich by some are 

 thought a needless waste of time. They will 

 probably eventually quite supersede tallow can- 

 dles, for the manufacture is but of very recent 

 date, and doubtless many improvements will 

 yet be made in it. 



The increasing consumption of palm oil is 

 closely connected with the progress and civiliza- 

 tion of the coast tribes of western Africa, and 

 as it is from them that the slave market is 

 chiefly supplied, it will be an oViject of im- 

 portance to encourage as f;xr as possible a trade 

 which bids fair to be a successful rival to one 

 which is of so degraded a character, and which 

 has been such. a bitter curse to all connected 

 with it. At the same time, wo must ever 



