OIL OF THYME. 



55 



the South of France, and the entire plant is submitted to dis- 

 tillation with water. The oil, which is of a reddish-brown 

 colour, is called Huile rouge de Thym. Redistillation renders 

 it colourless, and it is then termed Huile blanche de Thym. The 

 coloured oil, however, is that most commonly sold. 



The trade of distilling oils of thyme, lavender, and rosemary, 

 is chiefly in the hands of small manufacturers at Milhaud, 

 Auj argues, Souvignargues, and other villages in the vicinity of 

 Nismes. From the makers, the oils are purchased by the 

 merchants in the neighbouring towns, and thence exported to 

 distant parts. 



The question naturally arises, Is all the oleum origani 

 used in this country thus derived ? I believe it to be so. I 

 have not been able to discover that any is manufactured here, 

 nor have I succeeded in procuring a sample so essentially differ- 

 ing from oil of thyme as to warrant my believing it to be 

 genuine oil of origanum. The extremely low price at which oil 

 of thyme can be produced in the South of France, and the 

 common purposes to which it is applied, seem to preclude all 

 attempt at competition in other localities. Cheap, however, 

 as it is, it is yet occasionally the subject of adulteration with 

 oil of turpentine, whose odour in such case may be readily 

 detected, especially on comparison with a good sample. 



That the consumption of oil of thyme in this country is con- 

 siderable, may be gathered from the following extract from " An 

 Expository Statement of the Consumption of imported Commo- 

 dities within the United Kingdom in two years preceding and two 

 years following the establishment of the New Tariff. Presented to 

 loth Houses of Parliament ly command of Her Majesty, 1845." 



OIL OF THYME. 



isso. 



True corn- 



oil of 

 Origanum 





