The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 23
Class IV. — Animal and Vegetable Substances Used in Manufactures
Class IV.
Animal and Vegetable Substances Used in Manufactures.
Section A.—Oils, Fats, and Wax.
Division 1.—Animal Oils and Wax.
395. | Bee's wax, Travancore. |
396. | Bee's wax, Pegu. |
397. | Bee's wax, Burmah. |
398. | Bee's wax, Indian Archipelago. |
399. | East India fish oil. |
Division 2.—Vegetable Oil-Seeds and Oils.
Oil Seeds.
Vegetable Oils.
427. | Linseed oil, Linum usitatissimum, Calcutta. |
428. | Linseed oil, Linum usitatissimum, crushed in London from Calcutta seed. |
429. | Gingelly oil, Sesame orientale, Madras. |
430. | Gingelly oil, Sesame orientale, Sattara. |
431. | Gingelly oil, Sesame orientale, crushed in London from Madras seed. |
432. | Mustard seed oil, Sinapis sp., Calcutta. |
433. | Surson oil, Sinapis glauca, Calcutta. |
434. | Poppy seed oil, Papaver somniferum, crushed in London from Indian seed. |
435. | Safflower oil, Carthamus tinctorius. |
436. | Ground nut oil, Arachis hypogœa, Madras. |
437. | Ground nut oil, Arachis hypogœa. |
438. | Cucumber seed oil, Cucumis utilissimus, Calcutta. |
439. | Poonga oil, Calophyllum inophyllum, Saharunpore. |
440. | Korung oil, Pongamia glabra, Chota Nagpore. |
441. | Physic nut oil, Jalropha curcas. |
442. | Lamp oil, Ricinus communis major, Madras. |
443. | Bherinda oil, Jatroplia curcas, Calcutta. |
Solid Fats.
444. | Cocoanut oil, Cocos nucifera, Calcutta. |
445. | Piney tallow, Vateria Indica, Canara. |
446. | Mowha oil, Bassia longifolia. |
447. | Margosa oil, Azadirachta indica, Madras. |
448. | Gamboge fat, Garcinia pictoria, Canara. |
449. | Mace paste, Myristica moschata, Penang. |
450. | Vegetable wax, an artificial manufacture from Castor-oil. |
451. | Stearine candles, manufactured at Cossipore, near Calcutta. |
Section B.—Animal Substances used in Manufactures.
Wool.
a. | Pashun, or shawl wool, properly so called, being a downy substance, found next the skin and below the thick hair of the Thibetan goat. It is of three colours: white, drab, and dark lavender (Tûsha). The best kind is produced in the semi-Chinese Provinces of Turfan Kicnar, and exported viâ Yarkand to Kashmere. All the finest shawls are made of this wool, but as the Maharajah of Kashmere keeps a strong monopoly of the article, the Punjab shawl-weavers cannot procure it, and have to be concent with an inferior kind of Pashum produced at Châthân, and exported viâ Leh to Umritzur, Nûrpûr, Loodianah, Jelalpûr, and other shawl-weaving towis of the Punjab. The price of White Pashum in Kashmere is for unclcaned, 3s. to 4s. per lb.; ditto cleaned, 6s. to 7s. per lb. Of Tûsha ditto, uncleaned, 2s to 3s. a lb.; cleaned, from 5s to 7s. |
b. | The fleece of the Dumba sheep of Kabul and Peshawur.—This is sometimes called Kabuli Pashum. It is used in the manufacture of the finer sorts of chogas, an outer-robe or cloak with sleeves, worn by Affghans and other Mahomedans of the Western frontier. |
c. | Wahab Shâhi, or Kirmani Wool.—The wool of a sheep found in Kirman, a tract of country in the south of Persia, by the Persian Gulf. It is used for the manufacture of a spurious kind of shawl cloth, and for adulterating the texture of Kashmere shawls. Specimens of this wool will be found in the collection. |
d. | The hair of a goat common in Kabul and Peshawur, called Pat, from which a texture called Pattu is made. |
e. | The woolly hair of the camel.—From this a coarser kind of choga is made. |
f. | The wool of the country sheep of the Plains.—Regarding the production of wool in the Himalayan or Sub-Himalayan portion of the Punjab, the last year's Revenue Report states that "there can be no doubt that the valleys of the Sutlej, Ravee, Chandrabaga (or Chenab), Namisukh, and other tributaries of the Indus, supply grazing grounds not to be surpassed in richness and suitableness in any part of the world. The population inhabiting them are chiefly pastoral, but owing to sloth and ignorance the wool they produce is but small in quantity, full of dirt, and ill-cared for in every way." The government of the Punjab have made efforts to improve the breed by the importation of Merino rams, but hitherto with little success. However, a truss of Merino wool produced at Huzara, a hill district to the north-west of the Punjab, and sent to England in 1860, was there valued at 1s. 6d. per lb. |
Silk.
486. | Eria silk thread, Assam. |
487. | Cocoons of the Eria silkworm, Attacus Ricini, Assam. |
488. | Moonga silk thread, Assam. |
489. | Cocoons of the Moonga silkworm, Anlhercea Assama, Assam. |
490. | Cocoons and thread of the Mezankoorie silkwork, Antherœa Mezankooria, Assam. |
491. | Tusseh silk thread, Bhagulpore. |
492. | Cocoons of the Tusseh silkworm, Antherœa Paphia, Bliagul pore. |
493. | Silk of the mulberry feeding worm, Bomhyx mori, Umritsur. |
494. | Yellow silk, Berhampore, Bengal. |
495. | White silk, Berhampore, Bengal. |
496. | Silk thread, Burmah. |
497. | Floss silk, dyed of various colours, Umritsur. |
498. | Floss silk, dyed of various colours, Moulmein. |
499. | Wild silk, dyed. |
500. | Dyed floss silk, Shikarpore. |
501. | Dyed floss silk, Cashmere. |
502. | Golden silk thread, Cuddapah. |
An enumeration of the silk-producing moths of India, by Frederic Moore, Esq., will be found in the "Technologist," vol. ii. p. 410.
Section C.—Vegetable Substances used in Manufactures.
Gums, Resins, &c.
Lac.
532. | Stick lac, Jubbulpore. |
533. | Stick lac, Kuthie, Jubbulpore. |
534. | Stick lac. |
535. | Lac. From the Bur-tree, Jhallawar, Rajpootana. |
536. | Shell lac. |
537. | Plate lac. |
538. | Grain lac. |
539. | Grain lac. |
540. | Silk lac, Jubbulpore. |
541. | Lac dye. |
Dye Stuffs and Tanning Materials.
Fibrous Substances.
Cotton.
Silk Cottons.
The seed pod of various genera of plants supply a material which, from its appearance, is called "silk cotton." It is deficient in strength, and difficult to spin, on account of the smoothness of the individual fibres.
There are two species of Calotropis—one the Mûdar ( Calotropis gigantea), the other the Ak ( C. Hamiltonii), which produce this floss in great abundance. One or other of these grow luxuriantly in all parts of the country; and should the material, as now expected, prove of commercial value, it could be furnished at a cheap rate in large quantities. Hitherto its chief use has been for stuffing pillows.
700. | Silk cotton, Bombax sp? Chingleput, Madras. |
701. | Silk cotton, Mudar, Calotropis gigantea, Bundelkund. |
702. | Silk cotton (ak), Calotropis Hamiltonii. |
703. | Illustrated sheet, showing comparative lengths of staple of cotton grown in India. |
Fibres.
In the arrangement of this important division, the following classification, founded on the capability of the different fibres to fulfil certain functions, has been adopted.
I.—Fibres Suited for Spinning and Manufacturing Purposes.
a. Flax ( Linum usitatissimum.)
704. | Flax, Linum usitatissimum, from acclimatised Riga seed, Sealcote, Punjab. |
705. | Flax, Linum usitatissimum, Punjab. |
706. | Flax, Linum usitatissimum, from acclimatized seed, Lucknow. |
b. Rhea ( Bœhmeria nivca, also Urtica nivea and U. tenacissima).
Of all Indian fibres, the one which at present attracts most attention in this country is that of the Rhea. As soon as arrangements have been effected for its production, along with that of other species of nettle which abound in various parts of India, it is anticipated that fibres from this class of plants will eventually occupy a position second only in importance to that of cotton and flax, late experiments have shown that the fibre of the Rhea can be turned to account for the manufacture of a variety of fabrics of a very valuable and useful description; and its extended cultivation in India is worthy of every attention and encouragement. The great desideratum is an efficient machine for the separation of the fibre from its parent stem.
707. | Rhea, Bœhmeria nivea, Gowhatty. |
708. | Rhea, Bœhmeria nivea, Nowgong, Assam. |
709. | Rhea, Bœhmeria nivea, Debrooghur, Assam. |
710. | Rhea. Bœhmeria nivea, Debrooghur, Assam. |
711. | Rhea, Bœhmeria nivea, softened. |
712. | Rhea, Bœhmeria nivea, bleached. |
713. | Wild rhea, Assam. |
c. Puya ( Bœhmeria puya).
Although botanically a different species, the fibre of this plant is almost identical with that furnished by the Rhea. It flourishes at Darjeeling and other places in the north of India. Its commercial value is the same as that of Rhea.
714. | Puya, Bœhmeria puya, North-West India. |
d. Nilgiri Nettle ( Urtica heterophylla).
This nettle abounds in the Nilgiri Hills and also in some other parts of the country. It furnishes a fibre of such a nature that the term "vegetable wool" has been applied to it.
715. | Nilgiri Nettle Urtica heterophylla, from old wood, valued at £60 per ton. |
716. | Nilgiri Nettle, Urtica heterophylla, from new wood, valued at £65 per ton. |
e. Mudar or Yercum, ( Calotropis gigantea) also Ak ( C. Hamiltonii).
Have also been referred to under the head of Silk Cottons. The stems of these two species furnish a valuable fibre, which is, however, very difficult of extraction.
717. | Mudar or Yercum, Calotropis gigantea, Madras. |
f. Bedolee Sutta ( Paedcria fœtida).
This excellent fibre is the produce of a creeper which grows abundantly on grass alluvial deposits along some parts of the banks of the Brahmaputra in Assam. It is particularly worthy of attention, as its fibre is of a very valuable description. From its appearance it lias been named "vegetable silk."
718. | Bedolee Sutta, Paederia fœtida, Upper Assam. |
II.—Fibres suited for Spinning and Manufacturing Purposes, but of Inferior Durability to the Preceding.
a. Jute.
There are two species which afford this well-known article of commerce, viz., Corchorus olitorius and C. capsularis. Both are largely cultivated.
719. | Jute, Cor chorus olitorius, valued at £24 per ton, Darjeeling; |
720. | Jute, Corchorus olitorivs, Hooghly. |
b. Sufet Bariala ( Sida rhomboidea).
This fibre is very similar to jute in appearance; but it is considered to be intrinsically so superior that it is worth from £5 to £6 more per ton, and it has accordingly been placed next to that fibre, in order to attract to it the attention which it deserves.
721. | Sufet bariala, Sida rhomboidea. |
c. Ambaree or Hemp-leaved Hibiscus ( Hibiscus cannabinus).
This plant furnishes a portion of the so-called "brown hemp," exported from Bombay. It is readily cultivated, and, with more attention to its preparation, is calculated to compete with jute.
722. | Ambaree, Hibiscus cannabinus. |
d. Roselle ( Hibiscus sabdariffa).
Commonly cultivated in gardens for the sake of its leaves, which are eaten in salads. Worthy of extended cultivation on account of its fibre.
723. | Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa. |
e. Other Malvaceous Fibres;
724. | Indian Mallow, Abutilon indicum, Rohilcund. |
725. | Bun-okra, Urena lobata, Burmah. |
III.—Fibres Chiefly Suited for the Manufacture of Cordage, Twine, etc.
a. Hemp ( Cannabia sativa).
It is cultivated in many parts of India for the sake of the "Bhang" or intoxicating resin of its leaves, but as yet only occasionally for its fibre.
726. | Himalayan hemp, Cannabis sativa, Kangra. |
b. Sunn Hemp ( Crotalaria juncea).
This plant furnishes the vast proportion of the so-called hemps exported from India.
727. | Sunn hemp, Crotalaria juncea. |
728. | Sunn hemp, Crotalaria juncea, Hooghly. |
729. | Sunn hemp, Crotalaria juncea. |
730. | Sunn hemp, Crotalaria juncea. |
c. Jubbulpore Hemp ( Crotalaria tenuifolia).
731. | Jubbulpore hemp,. Crotalaria tenuifolia. |
732. | Jubbulpore hemp, Crotalaria tenuifolia, Chota Nagpore. |
IV.—Fibres for Miscellaneous Purposes, adapted for Twine, Cordage, and Paper, occasionally capable of Manufacture into Fabrics Suited for Women's Dresses, Imitation Horsehair Cloth, etc.
This division embraces the fibres furnished by the leaves and stems of endogenous plants.
a. Pine Apple ( Ananassa sativa).
This plant supplies the only fibre of the group which is at all likely to be employed for spinning by machinery. Its fibres are fine and very divisible. 733. Pine apple, Ananassa sativa, valued at £30 per ton, Madras.
b. Moorva, Marool, or Bow-string Hemp ( Sanseviera zeylanica).
This plant supplies a fibre in point of strength and other qualities well calculated, when properly prepared, to compete with the "Manilla hemp" of the Philippine Islands.
734. | Moorva, Sanseviera zeylanica, valued at £36 per ton, Madras. |
c.—Agave or Aloe Fibres ( Agave americana, also Agave vivipara or Fourcroya gigantea.
Although neither of these plants is indigenous, both are now cultivated in many parts of the country. After suitable preparation, the agave fibre is usually employed for the manufacture, amongst other things, of an imitation "horsehair" cloth.
735. | Agave, Agave americana, Meerut. |
736. | Agave, Agave americana, Madras. |
d.—Adam's Needle ( Yucca gloriosa).
This plant, although not yet cultivated for economic purposes, produces fibre of very considerable value when properly prepared.
737. | Adam's needle, Yucca gloriosa, Madras. |
e. Plantain ( Musa paradisiaca and other species.)
Universally cultivated for its fruit. Its leaves afford a fibre suited for certain purposes. Ordinarily it is inferior to Manilla hemp ( Musa textilis) in point of strength.
738. | Plantain, Musa paradisiaca, Madras. |
739. | Manilla hemp, Musa textilis, Madras. |
f. Screw-pine ( Pandanus odoratissimus).
The leaves of this plant furnish a fibre which can be turned to account for the manufacture of paper and some common purposes. It is, however, in every respect inferior to those in this group above entered.
740. | Screw-pine Pandanus odoratissimus, valued at £4 per ton, Madras. |
V.—Fibres Suited for the Manufacture of Mats, Brushes, Coarse Cordage, Imitation Horse-hair for Stuffing Purposes, etc.
a. Coir.
This well-known material is furnished by the fibrous envelope of the nut of the cocoa palm ( Cocos nucifera). It is exported from India in considerable quantities.
741. | Coir, Cocos nucifera, Madras. |
b. Gomuti ( Arenga saccharifera).
This fibre is considered superior to all others yet made use of for the nanufacture of artificial bristles for brushes, imitation horse-hair for stuffing and such like purposes.
742. | Gomuti, Arenga saccharifera, Singapore. |
c. Moonj ( Saccharum munja).
This grass supplies a strong good fibre, which is beginning to attract attention in this country, and is now being exported from Kurachi, in Sinde.
743. | Moonj, Saccharum munja, Lahore. |
744. | Palmyra, Borassus fiabelliformis, Madras. |
745. | Bunkuss, Eriophorum cannabinum. |
Manufactures from Fibres.
746. | Canvass, Barnagore works, Borneo Company, Calcutta. |
747. | Canvass, made of country hemp, Meerut jail. |
748. | American Gunny Cloth, Barnagore works, Borneo Company, Calcutta. |
749. | Rope, made of wild Rhea fibre, Bœhmeria nivea (?) |
750. | Cord, made of Agave fibre, Agave Americana, Chota Nagpore. |
751. | Cord, made of Plantain fibre, Musa par adisiaca, Madras. |
752. | Cord and Twine, made of Sunn Hemp, Crotolaria juncca, |
753. | Rope, made of Ambaree fibre, Hibiscus cannabinus. |
754. | Rope, made of Pineapple fibre, Ananassa sativa. |
The foregoing are only a selection from some of the most important and valuable of Indian Fibres. A very large number of fibrous plants are indigenous to the peninsula, and of these a great many that are at present unknown in commerce are utilized by the natives.