3i6 



temperature then rapidly rose to 2(>(>°, a lew drops only being obtained. Between 

 266 282 , id per cent, distilled, which fraction soon became solid. These frac- 

 tions gave the following results : — - 



First traction, sp. gr. at 15° C. = 0-8823; rotation not taken. 

 Second ,, ,, ,, = 0-9111; ,, a D + r-o°. 



Third ,, ,, „ = 0-9511 ; ,, not taken. 



An average sample of a June distillate from old leaves gave the following 

 results : — Specific gravity at 15 C. = 0-9218; rotation a D + 1-2°; saponification 

 number = 191-8, representing 67-13 per cent, ester. Cold saponification during 

 two hours' contact gave identical results. The crude oil was soluble in i\ volumes 

 70 per cent, alcohol. 



From very many analyses made since the first announcement in 1900, 

 the following may be selected. 



The oil distilled towards the end of July from old leaves, contained a larger 

 amount of ester than the June oil, as the saponification number was 202, equal to 

 70-7 per cent, geranyl-acetate. 



A sample of the oil distilled early in September, from old leaves, contained 

 still more ester, the saponification number, in the cold with two hours' contact, 

 being 214, equal to 74-9 per cent, geranyl-acetate. 



The average ester content for a consignment of 100 pounds of the oil of 

 this species, distilled from old leaves at various times during the year 1902, was 

 62-8 per cent, geranyl-acetate, from determinations made at the Museum during 

 that year. 



Analyses were also made with eight samples of the oil of this species which 

 had been distilled at Wingello from old material during the year 191 7. The 

 average ester content for geranyl-acetate was 67-5. 



The oil from the abnormal leaves contains even more geranyl-acetate 

 than does that from the old leaves. This is shown from the following deter- 

 mination : — -Trees had been felled at Paddy's River, N.S.W., for oil production, 

 in April, 1902, and in the following March, the young growth from the stumps of 

 the felled trees (" suckers ") was distilled at the Museum. The yield of oil was 

 0.23 per cent. The ester value by cold saponification with two hours' contact 

 was 221-4, equal to 77-5 per cent, geranyl-acetate. 



This species readily lends itself to cultivation, and is now grown exten- 

 sively at Emerald, Victoria, where the clippings from the young bushes have 

 yielded up to 0-3 per cent, of oil. A sample of this oil which was distilled in the 

 year 1913, from material twenty-two months old from the time of planting the 

 seed, when analysed at the Museum, gave a saponification number by the cold 

 treatment of 200-3, equal to 70-1 per cent, geranyl-acetate. The quality of this 

 oil was excellent. 



The vitality of this species is remarkable, and the continued reproduction 

 of new material is quite equal to that of any other species of Eucalyptus. 



Oil from the Bark. — The distillers who extracted an essential oil from 

 the leaves of this species of Eucalyptus were generally acquainted with the 

 odoriferous nature of the bark, and were desirous that the quality of the oil should 

 be determined. 



We are indebted to Mr. W. J. Quigg, of Wingello, N.S.W., for forwarding 

 in November, 1915, the freshly-stripped bark for distillation. It had been 

 obtained from fair-sized trees, and ranged in thickness up to ij inches. The 

 odour of geranyl-acetate was distinctly noticeable on the freshly-cut edges, and 

 when ground for distillation, had a very pleasant odour. 



The yield of oil by steam-distillation from this ground bark was somewhat 

 disappointing, as it did not exceed that obtainable from the mature leaves ; but 



