April 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE PALAIS DE L'iNDUSTRIE, PARIS 395 



fineness and a strength of staple which almost approaches in quality to 

 the superior specimens coming from foreign countries. 



The climate of Algeria is evidently well adapted to the production 

 of vegetable juices ; and we find exhibited a great many specimens of 

 oils, essences, perfumes, &c, derived from plants which grow abundantly 

 in that country. First, the olive-tree {plea omnium arborum prima) 

 requires notice, for France expends every year 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 

 francs in olive oil. Algeria exported in 1858 in value nearly 4,000,000 

 of this. 



Since that time the French government has paid a great attention to 

 the cultivation of this tree, and Algerian olive oil has much improved 

 from being prepared by European machinery ; so that it is now not 

 inferior to that which comes from the south of France. The supply has 

 increased every year, and the universal opinion is that the olive tree can 

 be made the most valuable product of Algeria. 



The Ricinus communis, the oil ot which possesses strong purgative pro- 

 perties, grows well in Algeria, where it spreads spontaneously and as- 

 sumes proportions unknown in Europe. A shrub belonging to the 

 Gnetaoeae, Ephedra frayilis, the Azeram of the Arabs, produces a juice 

 which is used by the native women to lather and cleanse their linen 

 instead of soap. Another shrub, having similar properties, is the soap- 

 tree of meridional America, (Sapindus saponaria) which has been accli- 

 matised in the government nursery of Algiers, and from there trans- 

 planted into the country to test its cultivation on a larger scale. In con- 

 sidering the essences and perfumes of Algeria, we are surprised to find 

 them of such variety and excellence. M. Simounet is, in some respects, 

 the creator of this branch of Algerian industry, and his products form 

 in this section the most interesting portion of the permanent exhibition. 

 I noticed more than twelve essences extracted from plants of the 

 Aurantiaceae family, but even the more common plants, as geranium, 

 mentha, lavender, verbena, rosa, are not neglected, and their essen- 

 tial oils prove all to be of the finest quality. 



Passing next to dyeing and tanning substances, which are represented 

 in great quantity, the qualities of some are highly appreciated. 



The Lawsonia inermis, the leaves of which are used by the native 

 women to dye their hair, nails, eyebrows, &c, is also used by the 

 Arabs for dyeing wool and leather. It gives a yellow colour, which is 

 said to be very durable. Mixed with a salt of iron it gives a beautiful 

 black colour, which is stated to be excellent as a dye for silk. There is 

 a species of Scilla in Algiers, probably S. maritima, growing wild 

 abundantly, the bulbs of which afford a superior tanning matter, espe- 

 cially for dressing leather, and from 4.0 to 50 days are sufficient to per- 

 form this operation. 



During my stay in Paris, I had often an opportunity of smoking 

 Algerian cigars and tobacco, and, as far as my judgment goes, the praises 

 bestowed upon the flavour and perfume of the tobacco are not exagge- 



