On the Constituents of Rush-pith (Toshin). 
BY 
Kintaro Oshima. 
A large number of investigations have been undertaken in late years, 
on the chemistry of cellulose-tissues of plants ; little, however, is known as 
yet of the exact nature of the substances which enter into the composition 
of plant pith. So far as the author is aware, maize (Zea Mays L.) and 
elder ( Sambucus nigra L.) are the only plants whose pith has been 
subjected to thorough chemical research. 1 2 3 ’ Further investigations concern- 
ing the chemistry of the piths of other plants are therefore necessary and 
desirable from the scientific, if not from the practical standpoint. 
Rush- pith has long been used in Japan as wick for oil lamps, 21 the 
commercial article being known under the name of Töshin which 
means literally lamp-wick. It has also been used as wick for Japanese 
candles. 31 Töshin is nothing but the pith of a rush — J uncus effusiis 
L., var. decipiens F. Buch. The pith is easily obtained by a simple but 
ingenious process of splitting the stem of the rush lengthwise. The pith 
consists of stellate parenchyma cells of soft and delicate nature, with large 
intercellular spaces between. 
The Töshin used for the present investigation was white and spongy, 
of about 2 mm. in diameter and about 400 mm. in length and free from ad- 
mixtures. The material was placed at my disposal through the courtesy of 
Mr. S. KAWAMURA of Akita, to whom I here express my sincere thanks. 
1) C. A. Browne and Tollens — Berlin, Ber. D. chem. Ges. 35 (1902) pp. 1457-1467. 
2) Rape seed oil is commonly used. The light is necessarily dim, but soft and restful to the 
eye. Though in common use in Japan under the old regime, its use is confined, at present, chiefly 
to temples and Buddhist services. 
3) In this connection, it is interesting to note that according to Tylor ( Anthropology , 1881, 
p. 273) the rush light, made of the pith of the rush dipped in melted fat, was in common use in 
Pliny’s time. 
