33 2 OILS AND OIL SEEDS 



a riverside tree, and is found from sea-level to about 

 2,000 ft. altitude. The fruits are narcotic and are used 

 as a fish poison. It is alleged, and with good grounds 

 for belief, that during the season when this plant is in 

 ripe fruit, it is unsafe to eat fish or crayfish caught in 

 the streams where the " Makulu " trees are very 

 abundant, as the flesh of these animals becomes poisoned 

 while they have been feeding on the decomposed seeds. 

 This plant, like the last-mentioned species, belongs 

 to the Bixaceae. 



(3) Garcinia cchinocarpa, Thw. (1854) (" Madol," 

 Sing.). One of the Guttiferse, a widely distributed 

 endemic tree, found chiefly in the wet parts of the island 

 up to high altitudes. In many parts of the country it 

 is particularly plentiful, as is indicated by the place- 

 name, Madolkelle (i.e., the forest of " Madol "). The 

 oil obtained from the seed was at one time commonly 

 used as an illuminant by the poorest classes, but it has 

 been almost entirely superseded by kerosene . The oil 

 was extracted by first pounding the kernels, and then 

 exposing the pounded mass, spread thinly over a mat, 

 to the sun, till the required degree of rancidity was 

 obtained, and finally compressing the material in a wedge 

 or lever-press. The crude oil so obtained is thick and 

 of a dark brown colour. It burns moderately well. 



(4) Calophyllum Inophyllum, Linn. (1753) " Tel- 

 domba," Sing., " Punnai," Tamil). Known to early 

 writers as the " Punnai-nut," in which at one time there 

 was some considerable trade. The seeds possess a high 

 percentage of oil, which is obtained by crushing and 

 pressure. This oil is known in Europe as Domba-oil, 

 and is valued as an external application in rheumatism 

 and in itch. The oil is thick and dense, and when fresh 

 is yellowish in colour and fragrant. 



This species is also one of the Guttiferae. It is chiefly 

 confined to the low-country, and is found both in the 

 wet and dry zones. It is frequently found in comparative 

 abundance on the sea-coast, but it is not a forest tree. 



The export of " Punnai " nuts from Ceylon at one 

 time showed a value, according to the Customs figures, 

 of Rs. 12,300, but the trade in this commodity is now 

 very restricted. 



