MXMUSOPS ELENGI SEEDS. 
The Bunga Tanjong (. Mimusops elengi ) a common cultivated 
tree here, belongs to the order of Sapotaceoe, and as many ot the 
seeds of trees belonging to this order contain an oil of value, the 
attention of Mr. Allan of the firm of Mr. Grosfield of Warrington 
was called to this seed which on crushing was found to be very oily. 
A number of seeds were collected and forwarded to the firm tor 
investigation. Messrs. GRuSFIELD had the seeds submitted to 
chemical analysis, with the result as shewn in the following letters. 
The oil is said in WATT’S Dictionary to be used in India for culinary 
purposes burning and medicir\e, and also according to BEDDOME 
it is employed by painters. A product however; which may be used 
by natives in its country with some advantage, may not be of suffi- 
cient value for the trade in Europe, as is the case with this plant. 
The following letters were received from Messrs. Grosfield 
Dear Sir, 
We have examined the small parcel of seeds which you sent 
on to our Mr. Allan, and enclose with this the results which have 
been obtained. You will see that the material is practically useless 
from a technical point of view, as the percentage of oil is so low 
that its value probably would not pay the freight from Singapore 
to Europe, to say nothing of making a little return to the collectors. 
We are pleased to make such examinations as this, as besides 
being interested in such matters from the point of view of possible 
users of the materials under examination, we also have a natural 
scientific interest in such investigations, and are prepared to exam- 
ine any other materials of alike kind which you will take the trouole 
to send to us. 
Yours faithfully, 
For JOSEPH GROSFIELD & SONS, Ltd., 
J. A. 
REPORT ON SEEDS 
"Mimusops Elengi” 
Sent by H. N. Ridley , Esq., Botanic Gardens, Singapore . 
The seeds are of a flat bean shape and have a hard glossy brown 
shell. 
Shell ... ... ••• 59'9 % 
Kernel ... ••• 4 01 » 
The kernel contains 14 '47 % of oil which is equal to 5*8 % on the 
whole seed. 
Constants of Oil. 
Saponification Equ. valent ... 289*8 
Free Fatty Acid ... 2*4% 
Iodine number ... ... 74*45 
Unsaponifiable ... 2‘5t) 0 4 
M elting point of fatty acids ... 3 1 *3° C. 
7/7 
