Croton Sebifcrum— P o p la r-lea ved Croton, or Tallow-tree.— The Tallow-tree is not tlie
natural food o f the Wax insect, but as they mutually illustrate the same inquiry, tliey are
represented in the same plate ; and it is further presumed, that a short account o f this
useful plant will be deemed a proper sequel to the history o f the insect.
Du Halde, when describing the Tallow-tree, says, “ II est de la hauteur d ’une grande
cerisier. Le fruit est renfermée dans un écorce qu’on appelle Yen K io ii, et qui s ’ouvre
par le milieu quand il est mûr, comme celle de la châtaigne. Il consiste en des grains
blancs de la grosseur d ’un noisette, dont la chair a les qualitez du su if; aussi en fait-on
des chandelles, après l ’avoir fait fondre, en y mêlant souvent un peu d’huile ordinaire, et
trempant les chandelles dans la cire qui vient sur l ’arbre dont j e vais parler: il s'en
forme autour du su if une espèce de croûte qui l ’empêche de couler. P a g e 18. Vol. I.
Sir G. Staunton speaks nearly to the same effect : “ From the fruit o f the Croton
scbiferum, o f Linnæus, the Chinese obtain a kind o f vegetable fat, with which they make
a great proportion o f their candles. This fruit, in its external appearance, bears some
resemblance to the berries o f the ivy. As soon as it is ripe, the capsule opens and
divides into two, or, more frequently, three divisions, and falling off discovers as many
kernels, each attached by a separate foot-stalk, and covered with a fleshy substance o f a
snowy whiteness, contrasting beautifully with the leaves o f the tree, which, at this
season, are o f a tint between a purple and a scarlet. The fat, or fleshy substance, is
separated from the kernels by crushing and boiling them in water. The candles made o f
this fat are firmer than those o f tallow, as well as free from all offensive odour. They
are not, however, equal to those o f wax or spermaceti.” This author further adds,
The wax for candles is generally the produce o f insects, feeding chiefly on the privet,
as is mentioned in the chapter o f Cochin China. It is naturally white, and so pure as to
produce no smoke ; but is collected in such small quantities, as to be scarce and dear.
Cheap candles are also made o f tallow, and even o f grease o f too little consistence to
be used, without the contrivance o f being coated with the fii-mer substance o f the tallow-
tree or o f w a x .” Vide C h apter on Sou-choo-foo.
The tallow-tree is now cultivated in the W e st Indies, where it thrives well, and
produces fruit, and by proper attention may hereafter become useful.