408 



or Scsamum; and the erinda, ricinus Palma-christi. The latter oil 

 is used medicinally with great success; an outward application of 

 the leaves is often efficacious; when previously healed, and rubbed 

 with oil, 1 have known it to give great relief in the gout. The 

 consumption of vegetable oils for many millions of lamps which 

 are lighted every night, for anointing the body, culinary purposes, 

 and religious ceremonies, is very great throughout the whole of 

 India, where I believe animal oil is never used. 



Mustard-seed is in great estimation for pickles, and similar pur- 

 poses, but more so for its oil, which is expressed in great abun- 

 dance. Hemp and flax are cultivated by many villages, not for 

 the fibres, converted in Europe to such valuable manufactures; 

 they are thrown away, or burnt as useless: but for the valuable 

 oil produced from the seeds, and an intoxicating drug called bhang. 

 The usual mode of expressing the oil from the different seeds is to 

 put them into a cylindrical trough, or large mortar; a bullock 

 driven round the simple machine, keeps the pestle in action, until 

 the oil is extracted; after which, the remainder forms a nutri- 

 tious food for horned cattle. Besides the annual plants for this 

 purpose, the mawah, and some other large ornamental trees, 

 produce nuts and fruit, from which they obtain oil of a good 

 quality. 



Tobacco is cultivated in most parts of India; it requires a good 

 soil, and attains the height of two or three feet. The hairy slalk 

 is covered wijh large leaves, which are carefully picked off when 

 they change colour and scent the air; they are then dried in the 

 shade, and preserved for use. Tobacco is an annual plant, of 

 delicate appearance; the blossoms of a pale rose colour, and 



