PERFUMES AND ESSENTIAL OILS 



347 



The solution of the perfume is finally drawn off by the tap at 

 the bottom of A and submitted to distillation in a separate still. 



In the illustration which follows (Fig. 1 23 facing page 349) show- 

 ing the extraction plant in practice, the 

 percolators, etc., are shown on the right, 

 while the recovery of the solvent is 

 effected by means of the stills on the left. 



In other cases, such as the jasmine, 

 there is reason for believing that the 

 flowers continue to generate and emit 

 the perfume for some time after they 

 have been gathered. Hence it is desir- 

 able to leave them for some time in 

 contact with the agent, generally a solid 

 fat, which absorbs the perfume during 

 many days. This process of enfleurage, 

 as it is called, was originally conducted 

 by laying the flowers on the surface of 

 a thin layer of lard spread on glass 

 plates, renewing the flowers at intervals 

 until the fat was duly charged. Accord- 

 ing to this plan the perfumed fat had to 

 be melted and strained to free it from 

 remains of petals and other impurities. 

 Contact of the flowers with the fat has 

 been avoided by the more modern ap- 

 paratus shown in the diagram. The 

 box about 2 feet square and 6 feet 

 high is constructed so as to be practi- 

 cally air tight. It is fitted with a 

 number of glass plates, H, which are 



fer 



=> 



fcr 



arranged so that they can be easily /'//ft\\\\ 

 withdrawn and replaced. The flowers x / / / I \ \\ v 



are placed on &VQ or six trays, A, B, C, p IG . 120. APPARATUS FOR 

 D, E, at the bottom, and beneath TREATING FLOWERS BY 

 them are sponges or cloths, G, wetted 



with water. Air can be drawn in as shown by the arrows 

 through the perforated bottom. It carries with it sufficient 

 moisture to prevent the flowers from drying too much, while the 

 vapour of the perfume is carried successively over the fatty 

 surfaces above. 



