EUCAL YPTUS. 289- 



Eucalyptus and globulus are convertible terms. This accounts for the 

 preponderance of the literature of Eucalyptus globulus. At the same time 

 Eucalvptus globulus is an oil which may readily be obtained in a state 

 of purity, so that the researches of Schimmel, Wilkinson, and other 

 modern workers referring to it may be relied upon. 



This oil is largely in favor in Europe. The Eucalyptus plantations 

 of Algeria now yield a considerable quantity of oil, and there is a ten- 

 dency to supplant the oil produced by the native country of the species. 

 I observe that Schimmel & Co. , guarantee 60 per cent, of Cineol in their 

 oil and absence of Phellandrene, " which latter constituent is present in 

 Australian oil." * 



Schimmel gives the percentage of yield of oil from raw material from 

 1.6 per cent. In Gippsland the usual percentage is perhaps 1.25 to 1.5^ 

 The same firmf also gives the sp. gr. at 15 deg. C. at from .91 to .93. A 

 complete analysis shows the presence of Valeraldehyde, Butyraldehyde ;. 

 Capronaldehyde, and Pinene, in addition to Cineol. Optical rotation, r 

 deg. to 20 deg. Wilkinson gives the specific gravity from .89 to 95, 

 Usually it is well over .9, readily satisfying the requirements of the B. P. 

 in this respect. 



* Bericht, October, 1893. 

 t Bericbt, October, 1893, p. 19. 



Eucalyptus amygdalina, L,abill. This tree, which principally goes 

 under the name of " Peppermint " of one sort or another, is found m 

 Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, being more 

 widely distributed in the last colony than it was supposed to be. It is 

 not only very abundant but it grows to a very large size, and its oil yield 

 is comparatively great (2 to 3 per cent.) We know very little yet of the 

 variation in the oils of the Eucalyptus caused by different circumstances 

 of habitat, size and season of growth of the trees. My experiments with 

 amygdalina tend to show that its specific gravity is low (say from .862 to 

 .885 in ordinary samples); it contains but little Cineol, and an over- 

 whelming proportion of Phellandrene. I observe, however that Wil- 

 kinson* gives the specific gravity of oil of this species (taking only twa 

 decimals) at .85 to .89, and from .91 to .96 (a blended oil.) 



* Proc. T^. S , "Viet. 2, vi. 197. 



E. amygdalina is very largely sold in Australia under the generic 

 term of " Eucalyptus Oil," but it is also a great deal used for blending, 

 so that I doubt whether much arrives in England in the pure state. In 

 fact blending is a good deal more resorted to than is usually imagined. 



Schimmel & Co. state that the oil of Eucalyptus crebra, and E. hemi- 

 phloia are very rich in Cineol.* The former is the narrow-leaved " Iron- 

 bark " and the latter is "Grey Box." Both trees are very abundant, 

 and should be tested for oil yield. The same firm also state that the oil 

 19 



