72G GRAMINE^. 



leaves rounded or slightly cordate at the base, yielding by distillation 

 the oil known as Rusa Oil, Oil of Ginger Grass or of Geranium. 



History — The aromatic properties of certain species of Andropogon 

 were well known to Rheede, Rumphius, and other early writers on 

 Indian natural history; and an oil distilled from the Sireh grass in 

 Ambojnia was known as a curiosity as early as 1717.^ 



But it is only in very recent times that the volatile oils of these 

 plants have become objects of commerce with Europe. Lemon grass oil 

 is mentioned by Roxburgh in 1820 as being distilled in the Moluccas ; 

 and it was first imported into London about the year 1832. Citronella 

 oil is of much more recent introduction. Ginger grass oil, called in 

 Hindustani Rusa ha tel, is stated by Waring^ to have been first brought 

 to notice by Dr. N. Maxwell in 1825. 



Production — Citronella and Lemon grass are cultivated about Galle 

 and at Singapore, the same estate often producing both. The grasses 

 are distilled separately, the essential oils being regarded as entirely dis- 

 tinct, and having different market values. In Ceylon they are cut for 

 distillation at any time of year, but mostly in December and January. 



On the Perseverance Estate at Gaylang, Singapore, belonging to Mr. 

 John Fisher, an area of 950 acres is cultivated with aromatic grasses and 

 other plants, for the production of essential oils. The manufacture was 

 tried on a small scale in 1865, and has been so successful that an aggre- 

 gate of 200 lb. of various essential oils is now produced daily. These 

 oils are stated to be Citronella, Lemon Grass, Patchouly, Nutmeg, Mace, 

 Pepper, and Oman (p. 802) : and mint is now being cultivated.^ 



Ginger grass oil is distilled in the coUectorate of Khandesh in the 

 Bombay Presidency. That produced in the district of Namar in the valley 

 of the Nerbudda, is sometimes called Grass Oil of Namar. We have no 

 particulars of the distillation, which however must be carried on exten- 

 sively. 



Description — The Indian grass oils are lighter than water, devoid 

 of rotatory power when examined by polarized light, and do not alter 

 litmus paper. They are all extremely fragrant, having an odour like 

 a mixture of lemon and rose. Lemon grass, which in colour is a 

 deep golden brown, has an odour resembling that of the sweet-scented 

 verbena of the gardens, Lippia citriodooxi H.B.K. Ginger grass oil, the 

 colour of which varies from pale greenish yellow to yellowish-brown, has 

 the odour of Pelargonium, Radula Alton. The colour of citronella oil is 

 a light greenish-yellow. The manufacture of Winter of Ceylon, and of 

 Fisher of Singapore, have a reputation for excellence, and are generally 

 indicated by name in drug sale catalogues. 



Chemical Composition — Stenhouse^ examined in 1844 oil oi 

 ginger grass given to him by Christison as Oil of Namur (or Nirtiar). 

 The sample was of deep yellow, and apparently old, for when mixed with 

 water and subjected to distillation, it left nearly one half its bulk of a 

 fluid resin, the oil which passed over being colourJess. After rectification 

 from chloride of calcium, it was shown to consist of a hydrocarbon 

 mixed with a small proportion of an oxygenated oil. The latter having 



^ Ephemerkles Natures Curiosonmi, cent. ^ Straits Settlements Blue Book for 1872, 



v.-vi. (1717), appendix 157. Singapore, 1873. 465. 



^ Pharmacopceia of India, 1868. 465. * Mem. of Chem. Soc. ii. (1845) 122. 



