396 ODOEOGRAPHIA. 



The vanilla essence generally used for liqueur-making is prepared 

 by taking for that purpose as much of the 2| per cent, vanillin 

 essence as would otherwise have been taken of the finest vanilla. 



For 100 litres (or 22 gallons) of liqueur, 5 grammes (77 grs.) of 

 vanillin, or 7 fluid ounces of 2J per cent, vanillin essence are 

 usually employed. 



Vol. I., p. 1. 



Musk. The last annual report of the Imperial German Consul 

 in Shanghai contains the following remarks concerning Tonquin 

 Musk : — " The discovery of artificial musk, which w^as brought to 

 market in Paris and Xew York towards the end of the year 1889, 

 caused such a panic among the importers at that time, that the 

 price of genuine Tonquin Musk, which stood at 230 Taels per 

 caddy as late as the autumn of 1889, fell to 200 Taels at the 

 beginning of the year 1890, and to 130 Taels in June — July, 1890, 

 keeping to the last-named low level until the commencement of 

 the year 1891. This extraordinary fall in price brought about a 

 decline of the shipments to Europe and America of from 2266 

 caddies in 1889 to 1194 caddies in 1890.* In the meantime it 

 had been shown that the new discovery cannot be compared to 

 the genuine Musk for delicacy, strength and durability of aroma. 

 Confidence in the Chinese article returned, and in the year 1891 

 we w^ere again able to show an export of 2033 caddies, and to 

 report a very lively state of business. It is true that during the 

 first nine months of 1892 the exports have been smaller than they 

 were in the corresponding period of the previous year, and it is 

 expected that the total shipments for 1892 will show a deficiency 

 of about 25 per cent, as compared with those of 1891, but at the 

 same time the musk trade continues to take a quiet and business- 

 like course. Prices have again advanced, yet they remain so low, 

 comparatively speaking, as to yield none 1jut the very smallest 

 profit to the Chinese dealers, and so have the effect of keeping 

 dow^n the supplies. The low quotations, as well as the competition 



* The last quotation on the Shanghai market was 180 Taels for 

 finest Tonqnin and 225 Taels for Dampi Musk. The latter kind is reputed 

 to be particularly well liked in Paris. It occurs in round, thin-skinned pods. 

 In Germany, as well as in England and in America, the preference is given to 

 the Tonquin variety. 



