6o 



XVI. THE PHHXOl., .VXD THE DETERMIXATIOX OF THE OIL FROM 



CALLITRIS TIMBERS. 



The characteristic odour of CuNitn's wood is cine j-jrincipalh- to the presence 

 of a phenol which is retained in tlir oily portion of tlie distillate when the wood 

 is steam distilled. This phenol occurs in the timber of some species in larger 

 quantity than in others, and it is, perhaps, due to its presence that Callitris timber 

 is so objectionable to thr whitr ants or termites. It apparently also acts as a 

 preser\-ative to the timbi-r when pkux'd in the t^round, tluis corresponding, in this 

 respect, to other similar phenolic bodies. 



The timber of C. glaiica was taken for the purpose of this investigation, 

 but the wood of most other species, such as C. cah'arata,C • intratropica, &c., would 

 have answered just as well, and have given the same results. The timber of 

 r. gracilis might, perhaps, be an exception in some respects, as the odour of the 

 wood is somewhat different. liven from the unpromising timber of C. Macleayana 

 both Guaiol and the phenol were isolated, so that it is not likely that marked 

 differences will be detected in the constituents of the wood of any of the species 

 of Callitris. 



The liquid j)ortion of the distillate was removed from the Guaiol by 

 squeezing it through linen. It was a somewhat thick, viscous and heavy oil, 

 but no signs of crystallisation were detected in it even on standing for 

 months. It was dark-coloured, and had the characteristic odour of " Cypress 

 Pine " wood strongly marked. For commercial purposes, where this peculiar and 

 somewhat agreeable odour is desired, this oil might be a useful article. In 

 localities where the wood of these trees is in common use, the aroma in the houses 

 built of it, is considered by man\- to be (piite pleasant, as is also that given by the 

 wood when it is burned for domestic purposes. The specific gravity of this liquid 

 portion at i6° C. was 0-9854. The rotation could not be determined as the light 

 did not pass through the tube. It was soluble in an equal volume of 70 per cent, 

 alcohol, but became turbid and milky with three or more volumes, but it was 

 easily soluble in 80 per cent, alcohol, and became but slightly turbid with eight 

 volumes. 



The ester content was high — the saponification number being 106-6. The 

 acid number was also high, 68-8, but this was largely influenced by the presence 

 of the phenol and other allied substances, as well as by any free acid. On distil- 

 lation, the greater ])ortion came over within a comparatively small range of 

 temperature. Nothing distilled below 248° C. (cor.j except a little acid water; 

 60 per cent, distilled between 248-255° C. As the oil distilling at the latter 

 temperature became blue, the receiver was changed, and 21 ])er cent, of a bright 

 blue oil was obtained, distilling between 255-265° C. The third fiac fion, 10 per 



