MYSORE AND COOUG. 67 



fruit and roots are extensively eaten. In February 

 and March, the tree is profusely covered by its creamy- 

 white blossom, and is a refreshing object at that sea- 

 son. The fleshy roots are an excellent substitute for 

 horse radish. Oil of Ben is expressed from the seed, 

 but in India the latter is seldom allowed to mature, 

 hence there is no local trade in this valued product. 

 It is a neglected industry which Dr. Watt brings 

 forcibly to notice in the following words : — 



" The oil from this species and that from M. a])tera, 

 Juss. are commercially termed Ben oil and are high- 

 ly valued as lubricants by watch-makers. 



It is, however, seldom made in India and does not 

 form an article of export, a fact which is the more 

 remarkable when one remembers the great extent to 

 which the tree is cultivated. India might easily, and 

 apparently profitably, supply the whole world with 

 Ben or Moringa oil, and it is to be hoped that atten- 

 tion may be directed to the subject. " Bid. of Econ. 

 Prod, of Ind. 



The reason why the seeds are not allowed to attain 

 maturity is simply because the tender fruit is univer- 

 sally used as a popular vegetable, the crop of a single 

 tree occasionally realising five rupees. In other 

 words, the fruit is of more value to the cultivator than 

 the seed would be, unless high prices are offered for 

 the latter. 

 186 Moringa concanensis, Nimmo. 



There is a tree at Bannerghatta in the Anekal Ta- 

 luk, which may be referred to this species. It is larger 

 in aU its parts than M. aspera and the flowers are 

 streaked with. red. The species has not been observ- 

 ed in local gardens. 



Cultivation.— Although it may be difficult to pro- 

 cure seed in quantity, for the reasons explained 

 above, it is abundantly produced in reserved trees 

 and germinates very readily. Being a small tree of 



