NOTES ON KUNDOO OR TALLICOONAH OIL. 343 



These cocoons have been pronounced by Monsieur Marchand, of Paris, 

 quite magnificent for size and colour ; and I have no doubt that another 

 year, I shall be able to carry on this cultivation with the greatest success. 



The worms did not appear to mind the great wind or rain they had to 

 experience during the time they were on the trees. I hatched the second 

 crop the 31st August, and they did well until the second week in Sep- 

 tember, when three fine days brought out wasps to a great extent ; and 

 the fruit having all gathered, they seized upon the worms, and, as it were, 

 sucked them till nothing was left but the skin. As I had not been 

 troubled with these pests during the first cultivation, I did not take pre- 

 cautions this time. Another year this might be remedied, but my worms 

 were hatched too late, as the nights were often of the temperature of 42°, 

 and I doubt the worms being able to stand this degree of cold. Another 

 year I should propose hatching the eggs about the 20th of May. They 

 would have finished their cocoons about the end of June, allowing the 

 trees a month to rest, and push forth fresh leaves. And here I beg to 

 remark that, although every vestige of a sprout or leaf was eaten off my 

 trees by the worms, no sooner were they removed than the trees burst 

 forth twice as strong as before. 



The second cultivation of worms might commence the beginning of 

 August and ending the middle of September, which would avoid the 

 colder part of the autumn. 



If any persons wish for further information, I shall be happy to render 

 it ; and if, by publishing this little account of my own experience, I may 

 have helped towards establishing a new source' of employment and profit 

 for both poor and rich, my object will be gained. 



Dangstern, near Petersfield, 1862. 



NOTES ON KUNDOO OR TALLICOONAH OIL. 



, BY ROBERT CLARKE. 



As specimens of this oil, and the seeds from which it is obtained, have 

 been sent from Western Africa to the International Exhibition, it may be 

 useful and interesting to publish some notes upon it, which appeared a few 

 years ago in the * Pharmaceutical Journal.' We have received, under the 

 name of Mote-nuts, the same seeds, and they are also called Kundoo-nuts. 

 They are the product of Carapa Touloucouna. In commerce, this oil has 

 been imported into London under the name of Mote grease. The crab 

 oil, as it is termed, obtained from Carapa guianensis, is much esteemed 

 in Demerara and Trinidad as an unguent for the hair. The seeds differ 

 from those of the African species, in being less dense, more triangular 

 in shape, and of a lighter colour. 



