[Pboc. Rot. Soc. Victoria 28 (N.S.), Part 1., 1915]. 



Art. IX. — Fur titer Notes on the Essential Oils of Austral Urn 

 Myrtaceae. 



By A. E. DAWKINS, B.Sc., and J. C. EARL, A.I.C. 



(Government Research Scholars). 



Communicated by Dr. Heber Green. 

 [Read July 8th, 1915]. 



Part I. — The Essential Oil of Eugenia Smithii. 

 By A. E. DAWKINS, B.Sc. 



Eugenia smithii (N.O. Myrtaceae), commonly known as " Lilly- 

 pilly," occurs in Eastern Australia from Victoria to Queensland. 

 It is a magnificent evergreen ornamental tree, reaching a height of 

 from fifty to eighty feet; the leaves are dark green, oval, slightly 

 pointed, and covered with oil-dots; the flowers are small and pale 

 green, and produce numerous white, lilac and mauve berries, which 

 are very showy when fully ripe. 



The wood produces a dark, close-grained timber, said to be well 

 adapted to ornamental furnishings. Baron von Mueller records 

 that the bark contains 17 per cent, of tannin. 



Some species of the genus Eugenia produce large, juicy table fruits 

 of a wholesome, agreeable flavour; the young flower-buds of E. 

 caryophyllata form the spice well-known as "cloves"; "allspice" 

 is the product of E. pimento; and the seeds of E . jambolana have 

 been used as a remedy for diabetes. 



As Eugenia Smithii is found in such profusion in the native state, 

 and grows rapidly under cultivation, it was thought desirable to 

 investigate and place on record the nature of the oil contained in its 

 foliage. 



The material from which the oil was steam-distilled was obtained 

 from the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, through the courtesy of the 

 Curator. 



Physical Constants. 



The yields and physical constants of the two samples worked with 

 were as follow : — 



