THE WEST INDIAN LIME. 



179 



tube at the bottom about 6 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. A 

 number of brass pins stand up about J an inch from the bottom of the 

 vessel. Into this machine the limes are placed singly, and rolled rapidly 

 with a circular motion over the brass pins, at the same time exerting 

 sufficient pressure to rupture the oil cells, but not enough to squeeze out 

 any of the juice. The oil then runs down between these pins and collects 

 in the long tube which serves as a handle, which, when full, is emptied into 

 a bottle, that it may be separated from the watery liquid mixed with it. 



Fig. 46. — Carting Limes to the Mill. 



(Fig. 45.) An expert woman can extract from 30 to 36 ounces of oil per day. 

 The yield of essential oil averages about 3 ounces per barrel of fresh limes, 

 and is worth in London about 4s. per pound. This oil, or " essence of lime," 

 as it is called, is shipped to England in copper drums, and is chiefly used 

 for perfumery. After the essential oil has been extracted the limes are 

 thrown up into waggons, drawn by oxen, and conveyed to the mill for 

 crushing. (Fig. 46.) 



Distilled oil is obtained by distilling the raw juice in the usual manner, 

 and is worth Is. 9^/. per pound. 



N 2 



