AND THE ZOOLOGY OF CHINA 79^ 



skin, and with seeds more developed; possessing this pro- 

 perty this species could be improved by experience and by 

 cultivation. Besides the walnut the hazel-nut (Gorylus 

 manschurica Maxim and C. heterophylla Fischer) is very 

 common in Manchuria. Two kinds of hazel-nuts are much 

 valued by the Chinese and a great quantity is exported to 

 China. From these nuts is extracted a kind of oil, used in 

 drawing on glass. In Europe the nuts of Gorylus avellena 

 contain 50-60% of valuable oil, which is used in soap -boiling 

 and in perfumery. The apricot tree (Prunus Armeniaca L.), 

 also must be mentioned : it is cultivated only in South 

 Manchuria and in North China in Mukden in the factory 

 of the Japanese Chemical Company. From the kernels 

 apricot oil is extracted, and used for many purposes. This 

 oil is much valued in Europe. It is also interesting to re- 

 mark, that in the berries of the velvet tree (Phellodendron 

 amurensis Rupr.) was found by P. M. Karwowskii, 12|% 

 of drying oil with a specific smell and bitter taste. 



In conclusion there are the fir trees (Abies nephrolepis 

 Maxim and A. holophilla Maxim) from which in Europe an 

 ether fir-oil is produced. These trees are as plentiful as the 

 Manchurian Cedar. 



XIX. — The Principal Tanning Plants of Manchuria. 



Manchuria by its large number of tanning plants holds 

 an eminent place among the neighbouring districts, but no 

 profit is derived from these riches by the reason of the import 

 of tanning materials from America. Until lately the tanning 

 plants and their utilization were unknown to the local 

 Chinese and natives, but now, thanks to foreign influence 

 in Manchuria, we can see Chinese tanneries working on 

 willow bark, but no other tanning products from this district 

 are applied. 



In Manchuria more than 30 plants valuable in their 

 tanning properties are found, but not all can be used com- 

 mercially. 



The principal ones are the following : — 



1. — Velvet-tree (Phellodendron amurensis Rupr.) — It is 

 a common Manchurian tree, the fiber of which is used for 

 dyeing purposes, and in Chinese medicines. The chemical 

 analysis made in Harbin by Mr. Gordeiew and Mr. 

 Karwowskii in 1917-1918, shows that the fiber of an old 

 velvet tree contains 18% of tannin, and the fiber of the 

 young branches 17%. 



2. — Oak. (Quercus mongolica Fischer, Q. serrata^ 

 Thunb., Q. grosseserrata Blume, Q. aliena Blume, Q. Fabri 

 Hancc and Q. dentata Thunb). These oaks are very exten- 



