24^ 



investigation shown to be substantial. It is remarkable, however, to find this 

 Tasmanian Pine existing so far north as the Rylstone district. New South Wales, 

 and the evidence thus appears conclusive that this form, although somewhat 

 related to the Sydney tree i^C. rhomhoidca\ must have been entirely distinct before 

 Tasmania became separated from Australia. 



The presence of such a large amount of geran^d-acetate in the oil of this 

 species of Callitris is particularly interesting, and it is here that the geraniol — 

 which appears to occur in the oils of most species of Callitris — has reached its 

 maximum. The free alcohol was found to be almost entirely geraniol, and this 

 was proved by the results of the cold saponification of the acetylated oil. It 

 has been determined, particularly with the oil of this tree, that two hours' contact 

 in the cold is sufficient to entirely saponify the geranyl-acetate, and identical 

 results were obtained when the oil had been in contact with the alcoholic potash 

 for either two or four hours. Borneol seems to have been almost entirely eliminated 

 from the oil of this species, and terpineol is probably absent also, as no butyric 

 acid was detected in the volatile acids of the esters. The terpenes present were 

 pinene, — of which the dextro-rotatory form was slightly in excess — and limonene, 

 of which the predominant form was the Isevo-rotatory modification. The tetra- 

 bromide prepared from the hmonenes melted at ii8° C, thus agreeing with that 

 obtained with the corresponding terpenes of C. calcarata. 



A small amount of a phenolic body was detected in the oil of this tree, 

 which was probably identical with a similar substance occurring in the oil of 

 C. gracilis. Sufficient material could not, however, be spared to enable it to be 

 isolated in sufficient quantity to be determined. It may possibly occur also in 

 other species, although it has not so far been detected. The odour of the oil has 

 a strong resemblance to that of geranyl-acetate, due to the presence of such a 

 large amount of that substance. Unfortunately the yield of oil from the leaves 

 of this species is small, so that the commercial value in this respect is somewhat 

 restricted. We have previously shown that large quantities of geranyl-acetate 

 occur in the oils of two Australian trees, viz. : — Eucalyptus Macarthuri (" Research 

 on the Eucalypts " , and Darwinia fascicularis ^Roy. Soc, N.S.W., Dec, i8gg). 

 Scientifically, however, its occurrence in the oils of the- Callitris is of great interest, 

 and has assisted greatly in the study of the several members of the genus. 



No. 1. — This material was collected at Cilen Regis, near Rylstone, New 

 South Wales, i8o miles west of Sydney, 27th March, 1905. The terminal branchlets 

 with their decurrent leaves were used. Although some fruits were present, these 

 had no influence, because oil could not be obtained from tlic fruits of this species 

 by steam distillation when treated alone. This was proved with the fruits of 

 the Tasmanian sample, and although the distillation was continued for six hours 

 not a drop of oil was obtained. The yield of oil was small, and 403 lb. of branchlets 



