TALLOW TREE, the name given in different parts of the world to trees of different kinds which produce a thick oil or vegetable tallow, or a somewhat resinous substance, which, like tallow, is capable of being used for making candles. Tallow tree of Mala bar (raterus indica) is a very large tree of the natural order dipterocarpacea. It has leathery leaves of 4 to 10 ft. long, and panicles of white, fragrant flowers, with five petals. The stem is often 16 ft. in circumference. By incisions in the stem, east Indian copal is got ; and by boiling its seeds, Were is obtained a firm, white, vegetable tallow, which, as it has no unpleasant smell, is particularly suitable for making both candles and soap.— The tallow tree of China (stillingia sebifera) belongs to the natural order euphorbiacecs. The capsules are internally divided into three cells, each containing a nearly hemi spherical seed, which is covered with a beautifully white vegetable tallow. This the Chinese collect for the manufacture of candles, in order to which, the capsules and seeds are crushed and boiled, and the fat skimmed off while in a melted state. To give it a
firmer consistency, wax is added to it, in the proportion of three parts to ten of the vegetable tallow. Linseed oil is also added. The candles made of it are beautifully white. This tree has been introduced into North America, is cultivated about Charles town and Savannah, and is almost naturalized in the maritime parts of Carolina. It presents a very beautiful and remarkable appearance at the approach of winter, the leaves become bright red, and the pericarps falling off, leave the white seeds sus pended by threads.—The name tallow tree is sometimes given in North America to a species of Candleberry (q.v.).—The tallow tree, or BUTTED AND TALLOW TREE of Sierra Leone, is pentadesma butyracea, of the natural order guttifera, the fruit of which furnishes a solid oil.