90 ODOROGRAPHIA. 
A, Laniger of Desfontaines. It is a large coarse, glaucous grass 
found under cultivation in various islands of the Eastern Archi- 
pelago, in the Island of Jamaica, and in gardens over an extensive 
tract of country in India. It very rarely flowers, but Dr. Dymock 
of Bombay states that he has seen it in flower more than once. 
It is largely cultivated in Ceylon and Singapore for the odoriferous 
oil distilled from the leaves, which is called Lemon-grass, Verbena- 
oil, or Indian Melissa-oil. The oil is employed in Europe as 
an ingredient in perfumes, very considerable quantities being used 
in the manufacture of Eau-de-Cologne. It is also used for adul- 
terating the so-called “ true verbena-oil” from the Lippia citrio- 
dora, a plant cultivated in Spain, also called Aloysia citriodora, 
but it certainly is not a verbena at all. The Ceylon oil 
of Lemon-grass is manufactured entirely by the natives. Oil of 
Lemon-grass is said to be called ‘‘ Minjak sereh” in Java, but that 
word may be applied to the oil of Tetranthera citrata, a Javanese 
plant of similar odour. This “ verbena ” odour is also developed 
in Eucalyptus Staigeriana, Eucalyptus maculata, var. citriodora, 
and Backhousia citriodora, Australian plants from which oils are 
distilled. It is also noticeable im the leaves and green twigs of the 
Trinidad lime (Citrus limetta). Oil of Hucalyptus Staigeriana 
has a sp. gr. of 0°880, and boils from 170° to 230°. Oil of Back- 
housia citriodora has a sp. gr. of 0°900, and boils from 223° to 
233°C. Both these oils are distinguished by an intense odour of 
lemon and verbena. The oil of the former contains a considerable 
quantity of a terpene, whilst that of the latter appears to consist 
principally of an aldehyde (C,,H,,O?). There is probably a great 
future for this oil (Schimmel). Backhousia citriodora is a shrubby 
Myrtaceous tree of 20 to 30 feet in height, very common in 
Queensland. 
