CANDLE NUTS

The kernels of the alearites triloba , the candleberry tree, a plant growing in most tropical countries. The nuts when dried, and stuck upon a reed, are used by the natives of the Polynesian Islands as a substitute for candles. They contain a large amount of pure palatable oil, which is sometimes used by artists as a drying oil. After the expre ion of this oil the cake has been used as a food for cattle; also as a manure. The following is the composition of the nuts:— | Shells. | | Water | 3·71 | | Organic matter | 89·90 | | Mineral matter | 6·39 | | Kernels. | | Water | 5·27 | | Fat | 62·97 | | Cellulose | 28·99 | | Mineral matter | 2·79 | | Ash of Kernel. | | Lime | 18·69 | | Magnesia | 6·01 | | Potash | 11·33 | | Phosphoric acid | 29·30 |