oct. — dec. 1857.] Oils of Southern India. 



SB 



sian lilac, is a tall wide-spreading tree, of quick growth, the branches 

 of which are very brittle and liable to be broken in high winds. 

 The blossoms are of a lilac color, possessing a very sweet smell, and 

 the fruits as well as the extracted oil of both varieties are much alike. 



A bitter principle prevails in all parts of the tree, and is present 

 in the oil, which is much used by Native practitioners as an anthel- 

 mintic and vermifuge, and externally as a liniment in rheumatism, 

 headache, &c. it is of a deep yellow color, unpleasant smell, and bitter 

 taste ; it forms an article of export, although the demand fluctuates 

 considerably. Besides the uses above mentioned, it is also burnt in 

 lamps, and is known in the market by the name of the " bitter oil." 



No. 12. llloopoo and Mahoioa oils. {Bassia longifolia et species.) 



Several varieties of the Bassia yield semi-solid oils known by 

 these names. The B: longifolia is the most common in Southern India, 

 and although the oil is seldom to be met with in the bazaar, yet 

 large quantities of the seeds are gathered, and the oil extracted for 

 private consumption. Excellent candles and soap may be made from 

 it, and as a substitute for butter and for burning in lamps, it is much 

 employed by the poorer classes. It is sometimes exported in small 

 quantities. 



The Bassia butyracea is abundant in the hills of Kumaon, and 

 produces an oil known by the names of Fulwah, Phulwarah, Choo- 

 ree fooliel and Phooliel ka tael. This solid oil dissolves readily 

 in alcohol, and is said to keep an indefinite time without becoming 

 rancid. 



No. 13. Pinnacotay oil. (Calophyllum inophyllum.) 



The fresh seeds of the " Alexandrian laurel" when shelled and 

 subjected to pressure, yield a dark green oil of a peculiar odour. Old 

 seeds yield a higher colored and thicker product. It is occasionally 

 shipped in small quantities to Ceylon, but cannot be considered a 

 regular article of export. It is burnt in lamps. 



No. 14. Kurunj oil. {Balbergia arborea.) 

 This oil, which in some parts of the country is used to a large 

 extent in adulterating lamp oil, is expressed from the seeds of a 



