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



51 



still more useful for fattening cattle. As an ingredient in salads 

 and similar dishes, for which it is used to a limited extent by 

 Europeans in India, there is every reason to hope, that the native 

 product, will ere long entirely supersede the imported article. 

 Numerous indigenous plants such as the Poppy, Mustard, Gingeley, 

 Ground nut, Chironjie, Cucumber, Cashew nut, &c. yield oils fully 

 equal to the best product of Italy, with the advantage of superior 

 freshness. Indeed, they are even now frequently used in preference 

 to the English oil, and the only bar to their general adoption, is the 

 difficulty of getting them extracted, in a pure state by the native 

 press. 



It is a well known fact, that a large portion of the oil pre- 

 pared from seeds yearly exported from India, is consumed as 

 " salad oil" in Europe, and part finds its way back to India, under 

 the same name, although the fresh product is procurable on the spot, 

 at a tenth part of the price of the re-imported article. The amount 

 of Salad oil imported at Madras during two years was as follows : 



In 1849-50, Galls. 268, value Rs. 1,139. 

 In 1850-51, Galls. 399, value Rs. 1,809. 



The imports of Olive oil into England in 1851 amounted to 

 20,783 tons of 252 gallons each. 



Oil, — as used in the preparation ofivoollen cloths, SfC. — As a dres- 

 sing for woollen cloth, oil is seldom if ever used in India, nor indeed 

 is it probable that it ever will be, many of the indigenous oils, are 

 however well suited for this purpose. 



Oil, — as a vehicle for paints, varnishes, Sfc. — Poppy and Linseed 

 oils, are in general repute in Europe for paints and varnishes. 

 The former may be cheaply prepared in the opium districts of 

 India, and from its perfect clearness and limpidity (when bleached) 

 it is most valuable to the portrait and miniature painter, whilst 

 the price at which it can be made renders it available for more 

 common descriptions of work. From the fact, of no vegetable 

 oils, (except wood oils,) being used as ingredients in paints by the 

 Natives of India, it has not yet been ascertained which of the many 

 varieties procurable in various parts are useful for this pur- 

 pose. 



Linseed, as will be seen on reference, to the first part of this 



