THE ODOUR OF MUSK. 5 
induced by wounding the tree in order to increase the formation 
or collection in nuclei of the resin. This condition is also brought 
about by burying pieces of the wood in damp soil. The substance 
cailed ambergris (afterwards described) is considered to result from 
a disease of the whale. In nature nothing dies—it simply changes; 
it takes another form ; additions cannot be made to, and nothing 
ean be subtracted from, the original total of the contents of this 
globe, otherwise the equilibrium would be instantly upset. 
The molecular particles of the odour of musk are so infinitely 
small, that for a long time loss of weight by exposure is in- 
appreciable. A little musk will impart a durable scent to every- 
thing in its immediate neighbourhood. This odour is so persistent, 
and has such power to resist decomposition, that when musk is 
taken internally as a medicine (as it very frequently is in the East), 
it passes through the pores of the skin and impregnates the per- 
spiration with its strong odour. ‘This odour of musk can be 
disguised by keeping it in capsules of wax, or in contact with lime, 
milk of sulphur, sulphuret of gold, or syrup of almonds, all of 
which have the power of concealing it: but it is at once restored 
by being moistened with a little liquid ammonia *. 
It is asserted that the odour is very powerfully increased by 
mixing the musk with alkaline salts, especially with carbonate of 
potash. Liquid ammonia has also been mentioned as exerting a 
revivifying effect on musk which has become partially exhausted ; 
but some observers refute the possibility of alkalies having the 
power of restoring or strengthening its odour, and assert that 
ammonia simply increases the volatility of musk. It is, however, 
an established fact that combination with soap intensifies it, and 
as soap is an oleate of soda or potash, this result is naturally 
attributed to alkaline reaction. 
When musk is moistened with water, the odour is more powerful 
than when in a dry state. Grain-musk is soluble in water to the 
extent of 90 per cent., and in alcohol to only 50 per cent. As a 
basis for toilet perfumes, musk is of great value by reason of its 
stability. By its great diffusibility it deserves the appellation of 
the ‘‘ wings” of the perfume to which it is added. 
For many years attempts have been made to imitate artificiaily 
the odour of musk. Experiments, successful to a certain extent, 
* Repert. fiir die Pharm. Band xxix. Heft 1, p. 51. 
