AND FATS OF INDIA. 45 



we have yet seen named for it is Madras. It is of the colour and con- 

 sistency of brown rape-seed oil. 



Ramtil ; Sirgoojah, or Valisaloo ; Kala till ka tael, Hind. 

 {Guizotia oleifera). — This is a sweet-tasting edible oil, plentiful in Mysore, 

 and is similarly employed to Sesame or Gingelly oil, but is not generally 

 considered so good. The seeds yield about 34 per cent, of oil. In some 

 parts of India its value is said to be about lOd. per gallon. Under 

 the name of Niger seed, this fetches in the British markets about 50s. per 

 quarter. It was first shipped to London experimentally in 1851. 



Valusa mum (Guizotia abyssinica). — A sample of oil from Ganjam was 

 exhibited in London in 1851, said to be afforded by the above-named 

 variety of Guizotia, Avhich may be identical with G. oleifera. 



Under this name we have received a specimen of oil-seed which resem- 

 bles that of Guizotia, but the difference in appearance is distinct. The 

 seeds are longer, and reddish at the extremities. They are equally rich 

 in oil. 



Rape (Brassica rapa). — Although we do not receive the oil, large quan- 

 tities of seed are imported under the name of rape- seed from India, 

 j)robably some of it the produce of species of Sinapis. 



Bombay and Guzerat rape-seed is realising about 68s., and Ferozepore 

 and Scinde 55s. to 61s. per quarter. 



Our imports from India were, in 



1855 



139,916 qrs. 



Value, 



£ 487,374 



1856 



251,890 „ 



5> 



736,778 



1857 



144,894 „ 



j) 



441,927 



1858 



157,780 „ 



5) 



420,466 



1859 



354,199 „ 



>> 



791,360 



Rosebay, or Vappatjley (Wrightia antidysenterica). — The seeds of this 

 tree are in great repute in India 1'or their medicinal virtues, which the oil 

 is supposed also to possess ; hence it is employed only medicinally, and is 

 obtained in but small quantities. It is thick and scarlet-coloured. 



Safflower ; Koosumba ; Chendoorookoo yennai, Tarn. ; Kurrur, 

 or Coosum ka tael, Hind. (Carthamus tinctorius). — This is a light yellow 

 clear oil, when properly refined or prepared ; but when not so, it is thick 

 and black, like cotton-seed grease. It is used in India for culinary and 

 other purposes. The seeds are also exported under the name of Curdee or 

 Safflower seeds. In Mysore and Bellary it costs about 2rs. 8 as. per 

 maund. This oil deserves more attention than it has hitherto received in 

 this country ; and if once fairly introduced, there is no doubt whatever of 

 its becoming a staple import. 



Sandal-seed ; Chundana pusjhum yennai (Santalum album). — 

 The seeds of the sandal-wood tree afford a thick and viscid oil, which is 

 burnt by the poorer classes of India in their lamps. The Mahomedans 

 express a precious oil from the moist yellow part of the wood, which they 

 value as a perfume. Large quantities of sandal-wood oil are annually 



