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



55 



according to his method over all other soaps ; for a quantity of this 

 soap, exhibited by Mr. Kohlhcff at the Madras Exhibition of 1855, 

 was purchased and kept in an open place exposed to all weathers 

 till the present time, (June 1857.) It does not appear to have sen- 

 sibly diminished in weight, or to have been affected by heat or damp, 

 but remains perfectly firm and good, whilst English bar soap, under 

 the same circumstances has shrivelled up to two-thirds of its origi- 

 nal size. I prefer it therefore to ordinary English bar soap,which does 

 not stand the test of extremes of temperature, nearly so well. 



Mr KohlhofT observes — " Cocoanut oil soap is of inferior quality, 

 if exposed to damp it will melt away, and if allowed to dry it will 

 shrink, wherefore it is the object of the manufacturer to prevent 

 loss by making only such a quantity at a time, as he is likely to sell 

 immediately. Castor oil soap is too clammy, and from its offensive 

 smell, is unfit for use. Gingeley and ground nut oil soap, are like 

 each other, they are certainly better than the Cocoanut oil soap, but 

 not so good as that made from Illoopoo oil, which is decidedly supe- 

 rior to all. Pinnay oil soap, may be considered as good as that 

 manufactured from Gingeley and Ground nut oils for washing 

 linen, &c. but it has a dirty brown color which is unfavorable to 

 the seller. Margosa oil soap is on a par with the above in utility, 

 but may be classed with the Gingeley and Ground nut soaps in point 

 of color, which will be a pale yellow, but the smell of the Margosa 

 soap is unpleasant." 



The process of manufacturing the above mentioned soaps, is as 

 follows : " Two cisterns being built one above another, two-thirds 

 of chunam, mixed with one third of Fuller's earth is pressed very^ 

 tightly into the upper cistern. Water being poured thereon, the lye * 

 will slowly filter through, and be received into the lower reservoir. 



About t\vo-third3 or three-quarters of this lye (according to the 

 nature of the oil, employed,) is mixed with the oil, and allow- 

 ed to remain three days with occasional stirring. The whole is 

 then boiled in a copper cauldron, until the soap separates from the 

 lye water. A small quantity of pure cold water, is then poured 

 in and stirred up to clarify. The soap is then poured into moulds, 

 and cut into bars, when cold. When sufficiently dry, it is smoothen- 

 ed and ready for sale." 



