342 OILS AND FATS, ETC. 



afterwards prepared, when twelve to fifteen per cent, of oil is obtained, 

 which is used for food by the lower classes, and is fit for soap-making. 



Ben-aile {Moringa pterigosperma). — This tree, which was introduced 

 into Martinique in 1784, now grows wild and plentiful, and it is stated 

 considerable quantities of the seed could be obtained at 4 francs the barrel. 

 A very fluid oil, which does not turn rancid, is obtained from the seeds, 

 which is in demand by perfumers and watchmakers. 



Bancoul Oil (Alearites triloba). — This tree is common in Tahiti. 

 The nuts yield 50 per cent, of a drying oil, useful for varnish, and of a 

 density of *923. It is employed as a purgative in doses of twenty-five 

 to thirty grammes and for soap-making. 



Tamanu Oil (Calopliyllum inophyllum). — The seeds of this tree give 

 an excellent oil for soap-making, and for the treatment of rheumatism. 



Y amadou Oil, Oil Nutmeg (Virola sebifera). — The seeds bruised 

 and pressed by heat, give 26 per cent, of a substance entirely soluble in 

 potash water, fusible at 34'5, and composed of two parts of oil, one 

 neutral and the other acid, the last forming about three-fourths of the 

 mass. The neutral part having glycerine for its base, forms a solid soap 

 with soda. This oil is well adapted for candles ; it is very abundant in 

 Guiana, and deserves the attention of business men. 



Carapa Oil (Xylocarpus carapa). — The forests of Guiana contains 

 an enormous quantity of these trees. In the district of Cachipour, 

 after the ripening of the fruit the ground is covered several inches deep 

 with the nuts. The district and the right bank of the Courouaie is 

 stated to be capable of furnishing the soap factories of Marseilles with all 

 the oil they now work up. 



Comou Fat (CEnocarpus bacaba). — This tree is very common in 

 Guiana, especially in virgin forests. The pulp of the fruit furnishes 

 18 per cent of a limpid edible oil, and from the kernels a fat is obtained 

 well suited to soap-making. 



Ouabe Oil (Omphalea diandra). — From the seeds of this plant an 

 excellent oil for lubricating machinery is produced. 



All the vegetable oils and fats of British India, which were shown in 

 the Exhibition, have already been fully described by Mr. Cooke, Tech- 

 nologist, vol. ii, pp. 1 and 41. 



The specific characteristics of the Indian oils enumerated in the 

 table on the following page, are given by M. Jules Lepine, of Pondi- 

 cherry. These differ materially from the character given by other 

 authors, but M. Lepine has had opportunities of judging authorita- 

 tively on the spot of the origin of the oil, the mode of extraction, and 

 clarification, influenced by other circumstances. 



