1833.] On the Kukumb ka Tel. 593 
This substance is the Kukumb ka Tel of the natives of this part of 
the country, or the concrete oil of the wild mangosteen, a tree which 
is common in some parts of the Southern Konkan. Iam not aware, 
whether any or what difference, further than may be induced by 
cultivation, exists between the above and the much-extolled mangosteen 
of the Straits. The fruit ripens in April and May; is small, and of a 
flattened globular form. The rind or shell is about 4th of an inch in 
thickness, of a deep crimson colour, and intense acidity. Within this, 
but without adhering to it, is contained a pulpy mass, in which the 
seeds are imbedded. The oil is extracted from the seeds by boiling. 
They are first exposed for some days in the sun to dry, and then pound- 
ed and boiled in water: the oil collects on the surface, and on cooling 
concretes into a solid cake. When purified from extraneous matter, 
the product is of a rather brittle quality ; of a pale yellowish hue, the 
shade inclining to green; exceedingly mild and bland to the taste, 
melting in the mouth like butter, and impressing a sensation of cold on 
the tongue, not unlike what is experienced on allowing a particle of 
nitre to dissolve on the tongue. 
From several experiments on this substance with the thermometer I 
have been led to the conclusion that in passing fromthe concrete to a 
fluid state, and conversely from a fluid to the concrete form, it is guided 
by some peculiar law, in consequence of which it has two distinct 
temperatures, removed from each other by several degrees, at which 
it passes respectively from one state into the other. I need not here 
detail the numerous trials I made on it, as the general result was the 
same in all, My first object was to ascertain the temperature at which 
it congealed or passed into the concrete form. This from repeated 
trials I invariably found to be about 90°. In one instance, having 
brought the substance into a perfect state of fluidity, I placed it in an 
_oven with a temperature at first above 100°, but allowed gradually to 
descend. When the Thermometer, which was placed beside it, indicated 
88°, I expected to have found it congealed; but perceiving that it still 
retained its fluidity, ] took it out and plnnged the bulb of the thermo- 
meter into it. The thermometer immediately rose to 94°, at which it con- 
tinued for some minutes, (the external air at the time being 72°,) and 
then gradually descended to 90°, at which it became stationary for some 
miuutes before the substance began to lose its fluidity and transparency : 
then without indicating any change of temperature, the process of 
congealing commenced at the sides of the vessel, the opaque cloud 
slowly creeping in towards the centre, and the thermometer all the 
while remaining at 09°, 
3H 
