

■^ ^ On the Tallow- Tree and Insect-wax of China. 19 



i^ yield about eight per cent, of this vegetable stearine, which sells 



igr about five cents per pound. 



The process for pressing the oil, which is carried on at the 

 same time, remains to be noticed ; it is contained in the kernel of 

 the nntj the sebaceoi^s matter which lies between the shell and 

 hxi^k having been separated in the manner described. The ker- 

 nel and the husk covering it are ground between two stones, which 

 are heated to prevent clogging from ihe sebaceous matter still ad- 

 hering. The mass is then placed in a witmowing machine, pre- 

 cisely like those in comnion use in other countries* The chaff 

 being separated exposes the white oleaginous kernels, which after 

 being steamed are placed in a mill to be mashed. This machine 

 is formed of a circular stone groove, twelve feet indiameterj three 

 inches deep and about as many wide, into which a thick solid 

 stone wheel, eight feet in diameter, tapering at the edge, is made 

 to revolve perpendicularly by an ox harnessed to the outer end of 

 its axle, the intjer turning on a pivot in the centre of the machine. 

 Under this ponderous weight tlie seeds are reduced to a mealy state; 

 they are then steamed in the tubs, formed into cakes, and pressed 

 by wedges in the maimer above described, the process of mash-^ 

 ing, steaming, and pressing being repeated with the kernels like- 

 wise. The kernels yield abuve thirty per cent of oil, and it sells 

 for a little more than three cents per pomid. It is called Tsing-yu^ 

 and answers well for lamps, though inferior for this purpose to' 

 some other vegetable oils in use- It is also employed for various 

 purposes in the arts, and has a place in the Chinese Pharmaco- 

 pcBJaj because of its quality of changing grey hair black, and other 

 imaginary virtues. The husk which envelops the kernel, and 

 the shell which encloses them with their sebaceous covering, are 

 used to feed the furnaces, scarcely any other fuel being needed 

 for this purpose. The residuary tallow cakes are also employed 

 for fuel, as a small quantity of it remains ignited a whole day. 

 It is in great demand for chafing dishes in the cold weather. 

 And finally, the cakes which rernam after the oil has been press- 

 ed out are much valued as a manure, particularly for tobacco 

 fields, the soil of which is rapidly impoverished by the Virginia , 

 weed. Artificial illumination is generally procured in China by 

 vegetable oils, but candles are also employed by those who can 

 afford it, and for lamerns. In religious ceremonies no other ma- 

 terial is used. As no one ventures out after dark without a Ian- ^^ 

 tern, and as the gods cannot be acceptably worshipped without 

 candles, the quantity consumed is very great. With an u/iim- 

 portatJt exception, the candles are also made of what I beg to 

 designate as vegetable stearine. When the candles, which are 

 made by dipping, are of the required diameter, they receive a final 

 dip into a mixture of the same material and insect-wax^ by which 

 their consistency is preserved in the hottest weather. They are 

 genefally colored red, which is done by throwing a minute quan* 





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