——- 
407 
Dr. Apjohn read a paper on the subject of an essential 
oil not long since observed during the rectification of common 
whiskey. This substance he received in December, 1838, 
from Mr. Scanlan, who had it from Mr. Bowerbank, an emi- 
nent London rectifier. Shortly previous to this time, it was 
observed by Mr. Eneas Coffey, the inventor of the cele- 
brated patent still, in the faint receiver at the extensive 
distillery of Sir Felix Booth; and Mr. Scanlan himself, upon 
coming over to Dublin, and visiting the establishment of 
Mr. Busby, at Blackpitts, recognized this same oil precisely 
where it was observed by Mr. Coffey, namely, in the vessel 
into which the weak spirit which comes over towards the 
close of the distillation is conducted. 
Dr. Apjohn stated in detail the properties of this fluid, and 
the experiments which he made with the view of determining 
its composition. It was burned in the usual way with oxide 
of copper, and gave, as the means of three separate experi- 
ments, the following results :— . 
Carbon. ... . 68.13 
Hydrogen . . . 13.33 
Oxygen .... 13.54 
100 
The most simple formula corresponding nearly with 
these results is c; Hg 0, and it was therefore that which he 
adopted. Assuming it as the true one, the composition of 
the oil would be,— 
Carbon..... 68.60 
Hydrogen . . . 13.45 
Oxygen .... 17.95 
100 
The deficiency in the carbon, experimentally determined, 
_ is not greater than what usually takes place. But the error 
2m2 
