THE COLLECTION AND MANUFACTURE OF LAC, ETC. 269 



for this reason, are used as a substitute for soap by the natives of tha 

 West Indies. 



The foregoing is a brief description of the most common edible fruits 

 of these islands. In a climate like that of the West Indies, many fruits 

 are brought to greater perfection than they would be in a more tempe- 

 rate clime, and this is the cause of so great a variety of fruits being in 

 repute amongst the natives, which, not being suited to the palate of 

 Europeans, are not included in this paper. 



THE COLLECTION AND MANUFACTURE OF LAC IN THE 

 NAGPORE TERRITORY. 



BY RAMASAWMY MOODLIAR. 



The Koosumb tree (Schleichera trijuga), from which stick lac is pro- 

 curable, is generally found located on hills ; but it flourishes also along 

 the banks, and in the neighbourhood of nullahs, and in itself presents 

 the appearance of a jungle. It attains both a great height and diameter, 

 the first varying from thirty to seventy feet, and the latter from one to 

 four feet ; its branches are wide spreading, and the wood is strong and 

 pliable. The tree blossoms in February, and the fruit is ripe in April 

 and May ; from the seeds of which an oil is procured, and used for the 

 lamp, and considered a good cure for poora. In the Nagpore territory, 

 the tree (called by the natives Koosumbia) is found in the districts of 

 Lanjee, Comtah, Roypore, Joucknuddee, Chandah, Bundara Buster, and 

 Ranjem ; but most abundant in this last-named district. 



The lac insect is produced inside the bark of the tree, and may be 

 observed on removing a portion of it early in the month of August ; 

 and during the prevalence of heavy fogs the insect perforates the bark 

 and forms the lac, the insect itself forming the colouring matter. The 

 first crop is picked in November, December, and January. If allowed 

 to remain on the tree for a month or so longer, a whitish insect or 

 maggot is generated, which consumes the lac insect. Should fogs not 

 prevail in August, as is usual, there would be a failure in the lac crop : 

 there is a second crop of lac procurable in July, but its quality is very 

 inferior to the first. 



The Goands collect the crude stick lac, and bring it to the village 

 bazaars, where it is sold for tobacco and salt, and sometimes cash ; but 

 merchants generally make a contract with the Goands for it, and an ad- 

 vance is made by merchants to them. They furnish it at the rate of four 

 to six coodoos, equal to from thirty-two to forty-eight pounds weight 

 per rupee. When the lac is kept for a few months, after it is collected,' 

 it is reduced to half its original weight, 



