288 EUCALYPTUS. 



" Ol. Eucalypti B. P., a more precise definition of this oil is required." 

 I very much regret that the researches on the numerous substances 

 known as eucalyptus oil are not sufficiently complete to be available to 

 the Committee appointed to prepare the new Pharmacopoeia. Whatever 

 decision may be arrived at as regards standards for this oil must neces- 

 sarily be based on imperfect information. 



Without taking note of well-marked varieties there are in Australia 

 about 150 different kinds of eucalypti. A large number of these yield 

 oil, or are capable of yielding it commercially ; even yet, with all the 

 work that has been lavished on them, we have no accurate knowledge of 

 10 per cent, of these oils. We have accurate (and more or less complete) 

 knowledge of those of Eucalyptus globulus, L/abill., Eucalyptus amygda- 

 lina, Labill., Eucalyptus cneorifolia, Eucalyptus maculata, var. citriodora, 

 and meagre knowledge of a few others. Why ? Mainly because of the 

 difficulty of obtaining authentic material for research, except from stills 

 situate in the midst of a forest of Eucalyptus of one species and no other. 

 I am perfectly certain from my own tests, and from my botanical knowl- 

 edge of the districts from which oils labelled in a particular way were 

 obtained, that the oils of many workers are often mixed oils. In adding 

 to my collection of oils for research I have endeavored to call in the aid 

 of distillers in different parts of the country, with the view to have the 

 stills charged with one kind of leaves and no other, but the owners are 

 often very suspicious, and their oils are not to be relied upon for research 

 work. Amongst what I may call educated distillers, very few are will- 

 ing to submit their oils to the research analyst. 



I have bought a large number of oils in open market and have ac- 

 quired other oils under special circumstances, but as regards the oils of 

 many species, I find my only course is to distil them myself. The still is 

 under construction in the Technical College, and I have made arrange- 

 ments to send my own collector to collect leaves botanically true. I thus 

 begin on the bed-rock, just as I have with gums, tans and timbers. My 

 only regret is that from the nature of things, the research must be pro- 

 tracted. Meantime, I have a good deal of material to work upon, more 

 in fact than I can get through with in a considerable period with the 

 present demands on my time. In this connection I would point out that 

 if country pharmaceutical chemists have neither the time nor the inclina- 

 tion for research work on Eucalyptus oils, they could do yeoman service 

 in the matter by supervising the distillation of Eucalyptus oils true to 

 name for research purposes. 



Eucalyptus globulus. Ivabill. This is a Tasmanian and Victorian 

 tree which is practically unknown in the other colonies to the average 

 citizen. It has been largely planted in other countries, and so often 

 written about that many people even in these colonies think that there 

 is but one Eucalyptus, and its name is globulus. In other words, that 



