OILS AND OIL SEEDS 333 



(5) Calophyllum tomentosum, Wight (1843) (" Kina "). 

 The oil obtained from the seed of this species by 

 expression is dense, sticky, and fragrant. It is highly 

 valued by natives for scabies, but its use is purely local. 



The " Kina " tree is moderately abundant throughout 

 the western forests of the island above 2,000 ft. altitude, 

 but becomes rare at 4,000 ft. It affords an excellent 

 timber for house-building purposes. 



(6) Mesua ferrea, Linn. (1753) ("Na," Sing.; "Iron- 

 wood "). This guttiferous tree affords one of our 

 most valuable building woods, the timber being both 

 hard and very durable. The " Iron-wood " tree is found 

 widely distributed throughout the island, and occurs both 

 as a purely forest tree and as an introduction in those 

 localities where from its great beauty and fragrant 

 flowers it has special use as a " Sacred tree." In this 

 way the " Iron-wood " tree has been introduced into 

 many parts of the dry zone, though its natural localities 

 are in the wet forests. It is common in India, Burma, 

 and in the Andamans. In Ceylon it is found at 200 ft. 

 to 4,000 ft. altitude in the western side of the island. 



The fixed oil is obtained from the seeds by bruising 

 and expressing. It is valued in native medicine for 

 external application in cutaneous diseases, and is also 

 used as an embrocation in rheumatic complaints. 



(7) Asadirachta indica, A. Juss. (1830) (" Margosa " 

 tree, or "Nim"; " Kohomba," Sing.; "Vempu," or 

 " Veppanai," Tamil). This handsome tree, belonging to 

 the Meliaceae, is chiefly confined to the dry country. It 

 is abundant near the coast, especially in districts where 

 the Tamil population preponderates, and who probably 

 introduced it. The seed yields a most cherished oil, 

 obtained by crushing and expressing. 



The oil is in high favour, owing to its antiseptic pro- 

 perties, hence its use in dressing all manner of foul 

 ulcers in animals as well as human beings. It is used 

 alone, or in conjunction with other oils, in eczema, 

 scrofula, and other skin diseases, and its application in 

 a crude form to the body is alleged to be stimulating. 

 The Tamils also eat the oil mixed with boiled rice as 

 a remedy for intestinal worms. Applied to the hair, 



