350 
to 90 per cent.) Leccpomtae oil or mineral oils,” and further, that 
‘occasionally other grasses are also used in the distillation 
(Andropogon laniger ?), for some ginger-grass oils possess a 
phelandrene-like odour, which is entirely wanting in the palma- 
rosa oil.” In the Semi-Annual Reports of Schimmel & Co. for 
October-November, 1902, Ginger-grass oil of good quality is, how- 
ever, spoken of as available from a new source of production on 
the Madras coast. In the April-May number of the same Reports 
for 1904, it is stated that phellandrene was detected in the portions 
boiling up to 80°, geraniol was also obtained, and a new alcohol 
 (CioH,,0). Investigations into the composition of this oil were 
continued, and in the October-November number of the Semi- 
Annual Reports for 1904, Schimmel & Co. further indicate (p. 46) 
the presence of two turpenes (d-limonene and dipentene). The 
aldehyd has a peculiar odour, which suggests both cenanthic 
aldehyde and citronellal. In the complete absence of herbarium 
Specimens it is, of course, impossible to trace the origin of this oil. 
It may, however, be useful to mention that the name ‘ginger-oil’ 
or its equivalents in various Indian languages has been in use for 
a considerable time. ‘Ginger-grass’ is, for instance, mentioned 
by Ainslie in his ‘ Materia Medica’ (1813), p. 115, together with 
‘its 'lamil equivalent, ‘Shukkunari-pillu.’* In this case the grass 
was Cymbopogon flecuosus (see p. 319). Since then the name has 
‘been more frequently used for Cymbopogon Martini. Among 
the vernacular names, those derived from the Sanscrit name Sont 
(dry ginger), and therefore equivalent to the English name 
‘Ginger-grass, have been variously applied. Stolz has, for 
instance, Qunthi-hulla for C. Martini. Edgeworth, according to 
‘Duthie, has ‘Sent (sentha)’ for Vetiveria zizanioides, whilst 
‘Sondhi’ stands as one of the Indian synonyms of Jzkhi in the 
Makhzan el Adwiyah. 
IIl.—CONSPECTUS OF THE OIL-GRASSES OF INDIA. 
Key to the Grasses. 
CYMBOPOGON.—Racemes of spikelets paired on a common 
peduncle which is supported by and often enclosed in a more or 
less boat-shaped bract (spathe) ; all the sessile spikelets alike, with 
the exception of one (or more) at the base of the racemes (at least 
of one of each pair). 
Tardily flowering perennials; innovations ‘intravaginal forming 
dense tufts; culms from dense bunches of firm, persistent leaf- 
sheaths, more or less widened below; blades long, hard, rough- 
edged throughout, filiform to linear; the first (outer) glume of 
the sessile spikelet flat or concave between the keels :— 
Panicle narrow, of short, dense fascicles of raceme-pairs ; 
‘© raceme-joints villose all over, hairs long, more or less con- 
cealing the sessile spikelets; awn usually a straight, vey 
short bristle (Series Schoenantht) :— 
Basal leaf-sheaths in dense tufts, tightly name! habe 
-« ened below; blades more or less filiform and flexuous, 
“except when very short; raceme-fascicles more or less 
simple nf CEES & a Jac ose audit Mate anh eh amen meme Lally 2 Schoenanthus. 
* Shukku, Tamil for the dried root of ginger, 
