VOLATILE OILS. 47 



Myrtle or Candle-berry wax, has been made, without admixture, into candles in 

 New Brunswick. 



Wax of very good quality has been obtained from trees growing at Shanghae, in 

 China, in Japan, and in St. Domingo ; and in connexion with this it may be mentioned 

 that a fungoid growth, found in decayed branches of our English trees, has recently 

 been shown by Professor Quekett to so far resemble wax, that it is not possible to 

 distinguish it by the microscope from the waxy comb of the wasp's nest. 



Volatile Oils. The aromatic and volatile variety of oil is exceedingly extensive, 

 and is largely employed in medicine and perfumery. 



Amongst the English specimens we may mention the peppermint (Mentha piperita), 

 and spear-mint (Mentha viridis), lavender (Lavandula\ rosemary (Rosmarinus), fennel 

 (Meum fceniculatum], thyme (Thymus), from the leaves of all of which essential 

 aromatic oils are procured. The seeds of the carraway (Carum carui], aniseed 

 (Pimpinella Aniswn), dill (Anethum graveolens), coriander (Coriandrum sativwn), are 

 well known to yield medicinal aromatic oils on distillation. 



It is, however, to hotter climes that we turn for the spices and perfumes which we 

 covet, and especially to the inter-tropical regions. 



The atar of roses is at the head of this series, and is produced in its highest perfection 

 in Persia, Turkey, the Raapootana States, and other parts of the great Continent of 

 India. The quantity of rose-leaves required to obtain a tea-spoonful of this princely 

 perfume is almost fabulous, and more than accounts for the high price which the oil 

 obtains. It is much adulterated, and chiefly with the oil of geranium, 'or Andropogon. 



The atar of Ecova, derived from the fragrant flowers of the screw-pine (Pandanus 

 odoratissimus), and the jasmine atar, from the Jasmimim grandiflorum, and Sambac, 

 aro favourite perfumes in India. So also with oil of aloes wood, of saffron, and of 

 sandal wood (Santalum album). 



Orange flowers (Citrus) also yield a most exquisitely scented oil, as maybe familiarly 

 observed by walking through the orangeries of this country and of France, when Che 

 orange tree is in blossom. It is obtained chiefly from Turkey. 



Oil of cloves is obtained from the Caryophyllum aromaticus, in India and the Archi- 

 pelago ; and oil of lemons from the rind of the fruit of Citrus Limonum ; and oil of cin- 

 namon from the Cinnamomum zeylanicum. 



Oil of bitter almonds (Amygdalus amard) is obtained from the seed, and is highly 

 poisonous. It is produced in Asia. 



Cajeputi oil (Melaleuca), from India, with oil derived from the Leptospermum and the 

 Eucalyptus piperata, of Western Australia, in addition to the medical properties of the 

 first, have the power of dissolving India rubber and various resins, and might therefore 

 be used in the manufacture of varnishes. 



There are two other vegetable volatile oils, to which we will refer, on account of 

 the favour with which they have long been regarded in India, and are now being viewed 

 in this country. 



The grass oil is a stimulating aromatic oil, obtained from the seed of the Andropogon 

 tckcenanthus, or Calamus aromaticus ; and the lemon grass oil, from other species of the 

 same genus. Both are used to the skin medicinally, and as valued perfumes. 



The peculiar odour and great durability of Russian leather is attributed to the 

 employment, during the process of tanning, of a volatile oil obtained by the distillation 

 of birch bark (Setula}. The oil has a brown or black colour, and after it is dried up, 

 it leaves upon paper the odour peculiar to Russian leather 



