194 



[September, 1912. 



that the mixed sample referred to in the brokers' report is due. It is 

 proposed to cut out these intruders at an early date and to replace them 

 with the true Nicaraguan strain. 



The essential features of the Nicaraguan variety — referred to in the 

 trade, as it appears, as Panama— are as follows. The trees are of medium 

 size with large leaves, and more or less intermediate in habit between the 

 Forastero and Old Ceylon Red varieties. The pods are of a moderately 

 large size and vary considerably in shape and colour and in the character 

 of the surface, three well marked types occurring at Peradeniya. 



Seeds. 



But the most characteristic feature is the very large size of the seeds 

 which excel in this respect those of all other known varieties. The cured 

 seeds are about twice the weight of those of either the Old Red or Forastero 

 varieties. They are oval in section and of the general shape of a good type 

 of Forastero "bean," being less rounded than those of the Old Red. The 

 average number of seeds in a pod is about 30. The testa or seed coat is very 

 thin and delicate.and is somewhat liable to rub off from the dried beans, and 

 the veining upon the dried seed coat is prominent. The colour of the fresh 

 seeds as seen in section is variable. The most usual type is partly white 

 but mottled and edged with bright crimson. Fairly deep purple seeds 

 and pure white seeds also occur. The wall of the pod is thin and leathery, 

 being almost devoid of the hard woody layer characteristic of Forastero 

 varieties. Owing to the thinness of the wall, if pods of a similar size are 

 taken belonging to the Forastero and Nicaragua varieties respectively 

 the bulk of the seeds will be found to be considerably greater in the 

 case of the latter. 



The plots at the Experiment Station have suffered somewhat in 

 the past from vicissitudes in the matter of shade treatment. They 

 are now doing well aud show at present only a moderate amount 

 of susceptibility to the attacks of canker. The variety seems to be well 

 worthy of a more extended trial in Ceylon, and it is hoped that during 

 the coming season a few thousand pods will be available for distri- 

 bution for purposes of seed. They will be obtainable on application to 

 the Director of Agriculture at Peradeniya at the rate of 10 cents each. 

 Not more than a thousand can be promised at present to any one 

 applicant. 



R. H. L. 



MACASSAR OIL. 



The lac tree (Schleichera trijuga) Kosumba, or the Ceylon Kon, occurs 

 in the dry deciduous forests over the greater part of India, Burma and 

 Ceylon. Macassar oil is the fat obtained from the seeds of this tree. 

 Within the first few years there has been an extensive demand from 

 abroad for these seeds, and they have been collected from Orissa under 

 the name of Paka seeds. The seed consists of 40 per cent, shells and 60 

 per cent, of oil which is equivalent to about 36 per cent, of the nuts. The 

 fat forms at the ordinary temperature a yellowish-white, buttery mass. 

 Most samples of Macassar oil contain small quantities of hydrocyanic acid, 

 probably liberated by the action of an enzyme on a cyanogenetic gluco- 

 side in the seed.— Indian Trade Journal. 



