60 Volatile Oils. 



Eriostemon Squameus. 



The oil from this shrub is in all respects similar to that of 

 Z. Lanceolata. 



Mentha Australis. 



This plant is a true mint. The oil produced is scarcely 

 different from ordinary Oil of Peppermint, and would in 

 this colony find a ready sale at 25s. per lb. Great differences 

 as to purity and strength exist among imported oils of this 

 character. From 100 lbs. I obtained 3 ozs. 



Mentha Gravilis. 



This herb contains a portion of its volatile oil in the stem ; 

 the total yield from 100 lbs. of the green herb is 3 ozs. It is 

 very similar to that yielded by M. Australis. 



M. GrandAflora. 



The oil of this species closely resembles that of Pulegium. 

 The yield was 5 ozs. from 100 lbs. There can be no doubt 

 that the oils of the genus Mentha here described are car- 

 minatives. 



Of plants producing oils serviceable to the art of per- 

 fumery 



Pittosporum Undulatum 

 Stands foremost. This is a beautiful shrubby tree, and 

 produces blossoms of a charming fragrance. The essential 

 oil or otto from the flowers is a limpid, colourless fluid, 

 lighter than water, and of an exceedingly agreeable odour, 

 much resembling the perfume of the jasmine. A few drops 

 dissolved in silent spirit resemble many varieties of Eau de 

 Cologne. The leaves yield a bitter extractive, well worthy 

 of investigation. 



Many of the Eucalypti and other oils already described, 

 can be made useful for perfuming purposes. They form good 

 basic odours, and can be materially altered as to aroma, on 

 account of the readiness with which they yield up their own 

 identity on the addition of essential oils in consonance with 

 them. 



It remains for me to notice briefly some particulars with 

 regard to imported oil-producing plants, and to call attention 

 to the probability of profitable results from their cultivation. 



From the results of my investigations as stated in this 

 paper, both as to the large number of native plants which 

 produce essential oils, and the prolific yield of such oils from 

 many of these plants, I inferred that the soil and climate of 

 Victoria are peculiarly favourable to the growth of oil- 

 producing plants. I therefore turned my attention for a 



