AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. 



157 



and there in small patches beside other medicinal herbs, never 

 losing its herb-like character. Its oil, apart from purposes already 

 mentioned, is used to produce red or black colour for seals. 



10. Zokudzu-shi is the oil of the Zokudzui or Horutoso {Eiiphor- 

 bia LatJiyi'is, L.). Only a small quantity of this is made, and it 

 is used to protect iron weapons against rust. The swords of the 

 Samurai especially, their favourite weapons, were kept bright by 

 this means. 



11. Asa-no-abura, hemp-seed oil, made from Asa-mi, hemp-seed 

 {Cannabis sativa^ L.), whose properties are sufficiently well-known, 

 is also used for obtaining the red and black colours for seals and 

 stamps. 



12. Kaya-no-abura, Kaya-oil, is manufactured by the Japanese 

 from the seeds of Torreya nucifera, S. and Z., the Kaya, which are 

 like hazel-nuts or acorns. It is used mostly in the kitchen. The 

 Kaya resembles our yew. It is found in most cases as of under- 

 wood, scattered like brush in mountain forests ; seldom as a tree. 

 In autumn the plant is laden with nuts, which are good to eat, 

 although having a resinous after-taste. 



13. Inu-gaya-no-abura is obtained from the nuts of the Inu-kaya, 

 i.e.y Dog-Kaya or bad Kaya {CepJialotaxus drupeacea, S. and Z.). It 

 is a resiny oil of small value, used only in lamps. The fruit hangs 

 plentifully on its bushes, which are distributed through the upland 

 woods. It is of the thickness of a small cherry, and rather long, 

 and brown. The flesh surrounding its nuts has a sweetish, resinous 

 flavour, and is not good eating. 



14. Buna-no-abura, oil extracted from the beech-nut, beech 

 being Buna {Fagus Sieboldi, Endl., and /^ sylvatica, L.). It is used 

 as with us, though not frequently. 



Average Composition of various Japanese Oil-seeds, 

 according to E. Wolff and others. 



Taken from Ollich's " Die Riickstande der Oelfabrikation," Leipzig, 1884. 



