Miniak kruing, a wood oil of Borneo, extracted by cutting a large hole in the tree, into which, fire being kindled, the oil distils. To obtain wood oil of the Dipterocarpus turbinatus, a large incision is made in the trunk at about 30 inches from the ground, in which a fire is lighted, and kept up until the incision is charred ; soon after this, the liquid begins to flow, and is conducted by a little trough into a vessel placed to receive it. The average produce of the better trees in a single season, is 30 gallons. Wood oils are produced by Dipterocarpus incanus, D. status, and D. costatus. The first of these three is reputed to yield the best sort, and in the greatest quantity. When filtered, it Is a transparent liquid, of a somewhat dark-brown when seen by transmitted light, hut appearing ermine and of an obscure green if viewed by reflected light. It possesses, therefore, in a very marked degree, the dichroism observable in all resin oils obtained by the action of fire. This !character determines the nature of wood oil, and shows that it is not simply a natural product like copaiba, but that it is in part the result of a liquid modifi cation of the Dipterocarpus resin effected by the agency of heat.
Moulmein wood oil is of somewhat greater consist ence than olive oil. It has a sp. gr. of 164, and possesses an odour and taste very analogous to those of copaiba. It dissolves in twice its weight of absolute alcohol, with the exception of a minute residue which is deposited upon repose. A curious property of this oil is that of solidifying when heated in a closed vial to 266° F. ; at this tern peraturo the oil becomes turbid, and so gelatinous, that it is not displaced upon the inversion of the vial. After cooling, the solidification is yet more perfect ; but a gentle warmth, assisted by slight agitation, restores its former liquidity.
Teak-wood oil, an opaque, dull, ash-coloured oil, pro curable in most of the large bazars of India ; when allowed to rest for some time, it separates into two layers, —an upper dark-coloured clear stratum, and a lower and more solid deposit. Its chief use is for applying to wood-work of all sorts, either alone as a natural varnish, or in combination with certain resins.
Deodar or Shemanatahu oil, of the Erythroxylon areo latum, is an empyreumatic medicinal oiL Wood oil from China is one of the substances of which the much-prized China lacquer is made. It is used in Singapore for painting the beams and wood work of native houses, and may also be mixed with paint when not exposed to the sun.
Sissoo-wood oil, of Dalbergia sissoo, is an empyreumatic medicinal product.
Camphor wood oil, from the Dryobalanops camphors, belongs to the class of volatile oils. It is used largely in Singapore as a substitute for turpentine, and sells at from 15 to 20 cents a bottle.
D. Oils alphabetically arranged.
Meurites triloba, Belgaum walnut oil—Hidjlee Badam ka tel, HIND. ; the Molucca tree produces the Lumbang nut. The nut yields a very large per centage of oil, and the tree is very prolific. The nuts are strung upon a thin strip of bamboo, and when lighted burn like a candle.
Allium sativum, Garlic oil—Vellay-pnndoo ycnnai, TAM. A medicinal oil everywhere obtainable.
Almond oil is that of the common almond, Amygdalus communis ; also the oils of the Indian almonds, the fruits of the Terminalia catappa and Canarium commune—Badam-ka-tel, HIND. ; Miniak badam, MALAY. ; Roughan-i-badam, PERS. ; Ingudi-tailam, SANBK. ; Badamcottay-yennay, TAM. ; Badama vittulu mine, Tan. It is not wholly an article of import, but chiefly so. The almond tree is a native of the Himalaya, and is abundant in Kash mir. The oil is colourless, or very slightly yellow, and is congealed with difficulty. Both varieties of almond, bitter and sweet, are imported into the northern parts of India from Ghorband, and into the southern parts from the Persian Gulf. This oil, as imported into Britain, is principally the produce of the Arzo tree, forests of which grow to the south of the empire of Morocco, which pro duce an exceedingly hard species of almond. Its fruit consists of two almonds, rough and bitter. In manufacturing the oil, they are well rubbed or shaken in a coarse bag, to separate a bitter powder which covers the epidermis ; they are then pounded to a paste in marble mortars, and the paste sub jected to a press.
Anacardium occidentals, Cashew-nut oil—Kajoo ka tel, HIND. ; Moondree cottay yennai, TAM. The light-yellow, sweet-tasted, and edible oil obtained from the nut of this tree is in every respect equal to either olive or almond oil. It is, however, very seldom prepared, the nuts being used as a table fruit. Another oil is prepared from the Anacar dium occidentale, and called Cashew apple oil. It is a powerfully vesicating oil obtained from the pericarp of the Cashew apple, and has been long known to the native physicians of India. It much resembles in its properties the acrid oil obtained from the marking nut, Semecarpus anacardium.
Andropogon Martini, the Roosa grass oil, differs but little either in appearance or quality from the A. citratum, lemon grass oil, and is used for the same purposes. Roosa grass, a native of the low hills along the base of the Himalaya, at Hardwar and the Khecree pass, is also found at Asir garh, and in Malwa generally. The roots are used by the natives of Northern India in intermittent fevers. In habit and taste it comes remarkably near A. citratum. The oil is used as a stimulant internally and externally, much in the same man ner as oil of cajaput. Roosa oil is the celebrated grass oil of Nemaur. It is probable that the several species furnish oils of similar characters.