KT^niOKRTArK.T:. 



229 



diviflod into 7 lancpolnto, {.ointod, sorrato sof(iiionts; stamiiiato flowers ou the 

 summit, fertile ones on the lower part of tlie spike. 



Geography. — The geographical range is l)roa(i. 'rh<jugh a sul)tropical 

 plant, it grows well and matures its seeds in a latitude as high as 42°. 



Etymolo<i;i. — lUcinus, tlie generic name, is fnnn tlie Latin rirlmts, a sheeji 

 tick, which the seed resembles. L'oinmnnls is Latin, signifying "common." 

 The common name, caslor-oil plant, is believed to have been due to the reseni- 

 blance of the oil to a licpiid contained in little sacks in the groin of the castor 

 (beaver). Another supposition is that it was called in tlie West Indies acjno 

 casto, and that casfo has l)een corrupted into castor. 



History. — The home of this plant is southern Asia. l)e raiidolle believes 

 its home to be eastern Africa. It was known to tlie ancients, and is spoken of 

 by Dioscorides, who states 

 that the seeds are violently 

 cathartic. When it was first 

 cultivated is not known. It 

 was grown in scnithcrn Eu- 

 rope and the countries of the 

 Levant at least 300 years be- 

 fore the Christian era. It is 

 cultivated in Japan, Bengal, 

 eastern and northern Africa, 

 southern Europe, and tlie 

 United States. 



It was brought to America 

 by European colonists. It is 

 largely cultivated in the south- 

 western United States to pro- 

 duce the oil of commerce. 

 Since the invasion of Kansas 

 by the grasshoppers, the cul- 

 tivation of the castor-oil ])lant 

 has been largely practiced. 



Preparation. — The mode 

 of procuring the oil is by ex- 

 pre.ssion. The coats of the 

 seeds are firs^t removed ; the 



oil is squee/.ed out and then boiled \vitli water; the foreign snli.><tauces are 

 t]ierel)y coagulated, and tlie dear oil floats ui)on the top, whence it is drawn 

 off and ])ut into suitable casks and ve.^^sels for market. The best is made in 

 Italy, where it is manufactured in large (juantities and witli great care, in 

 the vicinity of Verona, from .^^eed grown in Italy and im])orted from Africa 

 and India. 



^•"'''- — 'I'lif plant is grown for ornamcnf. and among troj.ical ].lants makes 

 a desirable object. 



The oil is a mild, speedy, and safe purgative, and for children is the be.«Jt 

 cathartic medicine in use. 



It is u.sed in the preparation of salves, liniments, and ointments, and dis- 

 .solved in alcohol is largely u.^ed in jireparations for hair-dre.s.sing.«;. 



It mixes with alcohol in all proportions, becomes solid at Fahrenheit, 

 and boils at 20)5°. It is the heaviest of all oils. The purgative priii.iple is not 

 known to chemists. 



RiciNUS COM M VMS (Castor-oil). 



