AND PAT* OF INDIA. 7 



and well refined. Cotton-seed oil is increasing in repute in this country, 

 and seems to have established itself amongst trade imports. 



Country Cress (Arabis chinensis). — From the seeds of this plant 

 an oil has been extracted in India, as evidenced by the fact of its being 

 shown at the Madras Exhibition of 1855. 



Croton ; Jamalghota ; Jayapala ; Neervalum, Tarn.; Naypalum, 

 Tel. (Croton tiglium). — The seeds yield a powerfully cathartic oil. It is 

 prepared by grinding the seeds, placing the powder in bags, and pressing 

 them between plates of iron. The oil is then allowed to stand fifteen 

 days, and afterwards filtered. The residue of the expression is saturated 

 with twice its weight of alcohol, heated on the sand-bath from 120° 

 to 140° Fahr., and the mixture pressed again. The alcohol is distilled 

 off, the oil allowed to settle, and filtered after a fortnight. One seer (2 lb.) 

 of seed furnishes 11 fluid ounces of oil, — 6 by the first process, 5 by the 

 second. The oil is well known in this country for its medicinal properties. 

 Water-melon ; Turbooz ; Turmuz (Cucurhita citrullus). — The seeds 

 of this cucurbitaceous plant are used as the source of a mild culinary oil 

 in some parts of India. 



Sasa ; Cucumber-seed (Cucumis sativus). — The oil of cucumber- 

 seed is a mild edible oil, which is obtained by expression for native use 

 only. " 



Kheera Khira' (Cucumis sp.) — The fruit contains sugar, and the. 

 seeds yield a mild oil. It is cultivated in Bengal. 



Pumpkin ; Meetha Kuddoo ; Kumara ; Valerikoi yennai ; 

 Thosa noona (Cucurhita pep.i). — Several edible oils are obtained in 

 India from seeds of cucurbitaceous plants. This is a very clear, bland oil, 

 suitable for culinary purposes. 



Melon ; Kurbooza ; Pitcha pusjhum ; Dharbooza (Cucumis melo). 

 — The seeds of this species are employed for the expression of a mild oil, 

 which, however, readily becomes rancid. 



Ka'nkcr (Cucumis utilissimus). — The fruit is yellow, the size of an 

 ostrich's egg. The seeds are ground into meal ; oil is expressed from them, 

 which is very nourishing. It is much cultivated in the Guntoor 

 Circars. 



Squash ; Saphari Kumra' (Cucurhita maxima). — The seeds yield 

 an oil which is both suitable for oil and burning. It is cultivated in 

 Bengal. 



Bottle Gourd ; Kadu (Lagenaria vulgaris). — The fruit is employed 

 for bottles. The seeds yield a bland oil. The plant is common in the 

 East and West Indies. 



Luffa Oil ; Torooi, Beng. ; Jhingo, Beng. ; Beer-kai, Tel. (Luffa 

 acutangula, Boxb.) — This cucurbitaceous plant is much cultivated in 

 India, where the natives employ it in their curries. A medicinal oil 

 is obtained from the seeds, which has a reputation among the native 

 practitioners. 



Custard Apple (Anona reticulata). — These seeds yield a mild oil, 



