34O OILS AND OIL SEEDS 



always been in steady demand, and, unlike other Ceylon- 

 grown products, has been free from violent and sudden 

 fluctuations in price, "to the danger of trade. 



(2) Sesamum indicum, Linn. (1753) (" Tala," or " Tel- 

 tala," Sing.; "Ella/' Tamil). This plant is one of the 

 Pedaliacese, and affords the " gingelly oil " of commerce. 

 Two varieties exist in Ceylon, one with pale pinkish- 

 purple flowers, and the other white. It is practically a 

 weed, and is often found growing wild in waste ground, 

 but it probably was at once time introduced into the 

 country. 



It is planted as a " Chena " crop in the dry districts, 

 but authorities vary greatly as to the yield per acre. 

 In parts of the Southern Province it produces very large 

 crops, but that notwithstanding, its systematic cultiva- 

 tion is not followed. In the North-Central Province it 

 is more regularly cultivated than in the South, and forms 

 an important element in the trade of the poorer classes, 

 the price obtained for the oil being about Rs. 3 per 

 gallon. Three varieties of the seed are found, known 

 as black, white and red. Of these, black is the most 

 common, and produces the best quality of oil. The oil 

 is of medicinal value, in addition to its use as an illu- 

 minant, being used in native medicine as a demulcent and 

 laxative. A poultice made from the seed is frequently 

 a favourite for sores. The meal is in large demand for 

 manurial purposes, and is largely imported for that 

 purpose into the island. 



The local trade in gingelly seed is considerable, and 

 large quantities are exported to India and elsewhere, 

 where its value as a commercial commodity is appreciated 

 much in the same way as rape seed in Europe and for 

 like uses. 



Wood Oils. 



A passing reference to wood oils may not be out of 

 place, though practically one kind alone is worthy of 

 note. This is a thick, turgid, sub-resinous fluid, obtained 

 from a gigantic Dipterocarp, known as " Dorana " 

 (Diptero carpus glandulosus, Thw.). 



The oil is obtained by first excavating a deep notch 



