BEUGA^rOT. 439 



The rectification of Berganiot oil must be pronounced altogether 

 irrational. The acetate of Linaluol is such a delicate body, that it 

 is already partly decomposed by steam distillation. As is proved 

 by Table IV., Xo. 3, a rectified oil is icorth intrinsically cihout half 

 as much as a inessecl oil. To go to the trouble of rectifying the 

 oil is therefore surely paying too high a price for the mere optical 

 advantage of absence of colour." 



In the Keport from which the above ^'aluable information is 

 abstracted, the authors take the opportunity of making the 

 following preliminary statement concerning a scientific investiga- 

 tion which tliey have undertaken, and which may possibly lead to 

 important practical results: — "A series of recent researches has 

 established the fact that the Esters of certain alcohols of the 

 composition C, q H^^ 0, and C\,3 H^^ 0, are principal constituents 

 of a large number of essential oils, which owe their aroma in the 

 main to the presence of the esters in question. 



" Thus, for instance, Linalyl-acetate and other esters of Linalool 

 have been recognised as constituents of Lavender oil, Bergamot oil 

 and Petit-grain oil ; while Geranium oil, Lavender oil and Lemon- 

 grass oil contain esters of Geraniol, principally geranyl-acetate. 

 In Pine oils, finally, esters of Borneol have been found. In the 

 course of this investigation we have succeeded in discovering a 

 new process for the isolation of these esters, for which we have 

 applied for a Patent. All these esters are very sensitive bodies 

 which cannot be distilled under ordinary atmospheric pressure 

 without splitting up ; to ol)tain them free from foreign bodies, 

 distillation in vacuo is therefore necessary. I^p to the present we 

 have succeeded in preparing over twenty such esters, several of 

 w^hich appear to possess a practical value. Amongst them are : — 



Bornyl-acctaU (crystallised in rhombic crystals). Boiling point 

 98^0. at 10 m. m., sp. gr. 0-991 at 15<^ C. Melting point 29^, 

 Has an intense odour of Fir-needles. 



Bornyl-formiate (liquid). Boiling point 90^ at 10 m. m., sp. gr. 

 1-013 at 15°. Aroma resembling that of Bornyl-acetate. 



Geranyl-forniiate (liquid). Boiling point 104^-105° at 10 m. m. 

 Has a strong, pleasant aroma of a peculiar character. 



Gcranyl-acctcdc (liquid). Boiling point 111^-115*^ at 10 m. m. 

 Aroma resembling that of Lavender oil, but more agreeable. 



