MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 23.1 



mated ; the flower spike is simple, and thickly set with yel- 

 low blossoms, in the shape of a cone ; the capsules are tri- 

 angular and prickly, containing three smooth grey mottled 

 seeds. 



When the bunches begin to turn black, they are gathered, 

 dried in the sun, and the seeds picked out. They are af- 

 terwards put up for use as wanted, or for exportation. 



Castor oil is obtained either by expression or by decoctiom 

 The first method is practised in England ; the latter in Ja- 

 maica. It is common first to parch the nuts or seeds in an 

 iron pot over the fire ; but this gives the oil an empyreumatic 

 taste, smell and colour ; and it is best prepared in this man- 

 ner : — 



A large iron pot or boiler is first prepared, and half filled 

 with water. The nuts are then beaten in parcels, in deep 

 wooden mortars, and, after a quantity is beaten, it is thrown 

 into the iron vessel. The fire is then lighted, and the liquor 

 is gently boiled for two hours, and kept constantly stirred. 

 About this time the oil begins to separate, and swims on 

 the top, mixed with a white froth, and is skimmed off till no 

 more rises. The skimmings are heated in a small iron pot, 

 and strained through a cloth. When cold, it is put up in 

 jars or bottles for use. 



Castor oil, thus made, is clear and well flavoured, and, if 

 put into proper bottles, will keep sweet for years. 



The expressed castor oil soon turns rancid, because the 

 mucilaginous and acrid parts of the nut are squeezed out with 

 the oil. On this account I give the preference to well prepared 

 oil by decoction. 



An English gallon of the seeds yields about two pounds of 

 oil, which is a great proportion. 



Before the disturbances in America, the planters imported 



train oil for lamps and other purposes, about sugar works. 



2 



