214 ODOROGRAPHIA. 
The oils had the normal sp. gr., were thin and beautifully clear, 
showing no adulteration with either resin, petroleum, or fatty oils, 
but they showed a striking lack of sweetness and left on the tongue 
an unpleasant bitter taste. Upon determining the proportion of 
cinnamaldehyde, it was found to vary from 49°4 to 69°8 per cent., 
as follows :— 
Investigations from 4th November to 28th December, 1889. 
Brand. 
CHEONG LOONG. Sp. gr. 1:060. Resin 7:7 p. c., soft. Cinnamaldehyde 55 p.c. 
Do. » 1060. » 60 4 » ” 589 ,, 
Do. = 1-068) Bs Oe eee a 49-4 ,, 
YAN LOONG. AOL A ee OL ena s 698 ,, 
CHEON LOONG. ou) SOGOS | aoe Cages ee 7 615 ,, 
“ Notwithstanding the low percentage of cinnamaldehyde, 
no direct adulteration can be proved in these oils. The non- 
aldehydes consist almost exclusively of acetic ether of cinnamyl 
(CH;.CO.OC,H,). These oils were worth hardly as much as 
those adulterated with 40 per cent. of resin. On this fraud being 
unmasked, the following parcels were offered. 
“ Investigations from 12th to 26th March, 1890. 
Brand. 
CHEONG LOONG. Sp. gr. 1061. Resin 4’6 p. c., soft. Cinnamaldehyde 77°7 p.c. 
Do. 4) LBL 5 ee Or oes A (hale 
YAN LOONG. pi COGO a0 ae 5 rie 
YE TAC. pl OG a) ey NIG re ae . 10:35, 
Do. sn LOGIE. fn pe uO fans i (sae, 
*“ Since, as before stated, the quality and value of oil of cassia 
depend entirely upon the amount of cinnamaldehyde it contains, a 
scientific estimate of the worth of an oil is to be reached only by 
determining the proportion of aldehyde present. One method of 
doing so is as follows :— 
“75 grammes of the oil are mixed in a good-sized flask with 300 
grammes of a boiling 30-per-cent. solution of bisulphite of sodium. 
The acid sulphite compound (C,H;.CH:CH .COH . HNaSO,) 
separates in the form of a coagulating precipitate. It is shaken 
vigorously and allowed to stand a short time. (Oils rich in alde- 
hyde usually develop considerable heat which must be reduced by 
addition of cold water.) Then about 200 grammes of hot water 
