OILS AND OIL SEEDS 



other oils, as a liniment. The fumes from roasting 

 Croton seeds, inhaled through the nose, are alleged to 

 relieve asthma. In Indian native medicine Croton enters 

 frequently, in connection with other oils, juices, or pulps. 



The local methods of preparation of the oil vary 

 generally with the specific purpose to which it has to be 

 applied; thus, in some cases, it is obtained by expression, 

 and in others, by boiling with milk. 



(12) Ricinus communis, Linn. (" Endaru," Sing.; the 

 castor oil of medicine). The date of the introduction 

 of this well-known plant into Ceylon is uncertain, but 

 probably it was first brought from India. It is found 

 over nearly the whole island, both in wet and dry dis- 

 tricts alike, but except as " escapes " it is nowhere 

 actually wild. The oil is obtained both by expression 

 and by boiling, and is in very large demand for 

 medicinal purposes, and as a machine o>il or lubricant. 

 Among the Tamils, who call the oil " Velakennai," it 

 is particularly popular, especially for local application, it 

 being no uncommon sight to find a Tamil w r oman smear- 

 ing the body of her infant with it till the child looks 

 as if it was bathed in this uninviting substance. Apart 

 from its known value as a purgative, other parts of 

 the plant are reputed to be important in native medicine, 

 a decoction of the root being used, for example, in 

 pleurodynia. The leaves are esteemed as of value for 

 affections of the eye. 



The meal, or " poonac," as it is called, which is left 

 after the oil has been expressed from the seeds, con- 

 stitutes a most valuable manure, very large quantities 

 being imported into the island from India and elsewhere 

 for this purpose. 



The cultivation of the castor oil plant in areas not 

 adapted to permanent cultures is worthy of serious atten- 

 tion, both in view of the demand for the product and 

 the ease with which it can be raised. 



Section 2. Fixed Oils of Major Importance. 



(i) Coeds nucifera. Linn. (1753) ("Pol," Sing.; " Ten- 

 nai," Tamil; the coconut of the European). The intro- 

 duction of the coconut into Ceylon is a matter of much 



