Volatile Oils. 57 



M. Ericifolia. 



Front 100 lbs, of leaves and branehlets combined I 

 obtained 5 ozs. of a very limpid and almost colourless oil, 

 partaking much of the Cajuput flavour. With age it im- 

 proves greatly, and gives more of the aroma of the flowers. 

 Sp. gr. 0.899. 



M. Linarifolia. 



Yields an oil of a light straw colour, having a slightly 

 aromatic and pungent odour, and an agreeable taste, strongly 

 suggestive of mace and nutmegs. The quantity yielded is 

 large, 28 ozs. from 100 lbs. of fresh leaves and branehlets. 

 Sp. gr. 0.903. 



M. Wilsonii. 



This shrub is a desert species. Yield from 100 lbs. of green 

 material was 4 ozs., of a pale yellow colour, in odour slightly 

 resembling 31. Ericifolia, but devoid of its sweetness. Sp. 

 grav. 0*925. 



M. GenistifoUa. 



From 100 lbs. of leaves and branehlets I obtained 1 oz. 

 2 drs. of oil. This result is only approximative, as the quan- 

 tity operated on was small. This shrub is rare in Victoria, 

 and comparatively unproductive. 



M. Squamosa. 



This shrub produced the only green oil out of the group. 

 Its odour is agreeable, resembling that of M. Ericifolia \ 

 taste disagreeable, and having the pungency usual to the 

 tea tree oils. Yield only 5 drs. from 100 lbs. 



The powers and use of these oils are next to be considered. 



The camphoraceous odour more or less prevalent in them, 

 together with their diffusible and penetrating effect on the 

 palate, at once suggests their utility as solvents. It is well 

 known that the solvent power of turpentine or spirit of 

 wine is greatly increased by the addition of camphor, a prin- 

 ciple which exists in all these oils. The oil of E. Globulus, 

 in which camphor predominates, takes the first place as a 

 solvent, and is closely followed by those of the same type. 

 Resins of difficult solutions, such as copal, mastic, and amber, 

 can be readily dissolved by these oils, without the application 

 of heat, so as to form clear and elegant varnishes. 



On the whole I do not think that a more profitable manu- 

 facture of native produce can be established at so small a 

 cost in Victoria. 



The native vegetation of Australia is strongly distin- 

 guished from that of other countries. Whilst travelling 



