Mamey-oil.-About 40 per cent. of a fixed oil bearing this name is extracted by means of expression at a high temperature from the frult-kernels of Lemma Bonplandii, in Mexico. It is employed in the manufacture of soap and cosmetics, and for illuminating purposes.
or (FR., Beurre de Cocum, Huile de Madool).—The fruit-seeds of Garcinia indica afford a fatty oil of unusual purity. The tree is indigenous to the coast region of W. India, known as the Concan, lying between Goa and Daman. The oil is extracted by the natives of India in the following manner :—The seeds are sun-dried for several days, bruised, and boiled in water ; the oil escapes and collects on the surface, and, on cooling, concretes into a solid cake. The yield is about 10 per cent. The crude product needs purification by melting in a steam bath, and filtering. Thus treated, it becomes perfectly transparent and light-straw coloured, consolidating at 274° (814° F.) into a crystalline mass, commencing to melt again at 421° (1084° F.), and fusing entirely at 45° (113° F.). It is composed chiefly of stcaric acid, with minor quantities of myristic and oleic acids, all in combination as glycerides. It saponifies readily, and produces a fine hard soap. It is soluble in ether, and slightly so in rectified spirit. When kept long, it acquires an unpleasant rancid odour, and a brownish colour. It occurs in the Indian bazars in the form of oblong lumps, measuring 4 in. by 2 in., and weighing about lb. ; it is whitish, firm, dry, and friable, yet greasy to the touch. In India, it is largely used by the natives for adulterating ghee, and more recently by Europeans for pharmaceutical preparations. Its present abundance does not admit of its general application to soap-making or candle-making, but it is a superior article for such purposes.
or fruits of Melia Azadirachta, and probably several allied species, afford a useful oil. The trees or shrubs are found native throughout India, and are now widely diffused in tropical and sub-tropical regions. They are hardy, and grow in almost any soil. The fruits are produced abundantly, and drop when ripe. They are gathered, and treated either by expression or boiling. Some accounts state the oil to be derived from the pulp of the fruit; others
say it is obtained from the seed, the kernels yielding 25 per cent. The oil is acrid-bitter, deep yellow, and with a strong disagreeable flavour. During the winter months in India, it becomes solid, but partially regains fluidity in summer. It is largely used by native physicians, both internally and externally ; it is frequently burnt in lamps, but emits an offensive smoke; and is applicable to soap-making.
and seeds of all the members of the melon, pumpkin, cucumber, and gourd family contain appreciable proportions of oil, but the only kinds which are utilized to any considerable extent.are those of the sweet melon (Cucumis Melo) and the water-melon (C. Citruilus). Considerable quantities of melon-seed, under the local French name of petit beraf, are collected in various parts of W. Africa, notably Senegal and Abeokuta. The production in Senegal in 1860 was 62,226 kilo. of the seed, which was shipped to France. China grows very large quantities of melon-seed, and has an extensive commerce in it. Thus, in 1879, Chefoo exported 4207 piculs (of 134 lb.); Hankow, 6642 piculs, value 6165/. ; Kiungchow, 1722/ piculs, value 1125/. ; Newchwang, 16,191 piculs. The yield of oil is about 30 per cent. The oil is clear, bland, and limpid, and closely resembles olive-oil ; it is consumed as food, burnt in lamps, and made into soap. It dries slowly, and solidifies at —15° (6° F.); its sp. gr. is about 0.923.
The egusi oil of Abeokuta, the abobora of Brazil, the ogadioka of the Gaboon, S.-E., and S.-W. Africa, the chock°, and several other oils of local application, belong to this uumerous and wide spread order, the Cucurbitacccc.
oil is obtained from the seeds of Butea frondosa (see Resinous Substances —Butca kino) in India, Java, &c. ; it is afforded in small quantity, is bright, clear, and fluid, and used medicinally.
or (FR., Huile de Touloucoona, Tallicoo na).—The nuts or seeds of Cbrapa guineensis [Touloucoona], which plant has recently been declared identical with C. guianensis (see Crab-oil, p. 1386), afford about 33 per cent. of a valuable fatty oil.