MYRTACE^E. 297 



be of that species, and not of the M. leucadendro?i. Rumphius states ex- 

 plicitly that the oil is obtained from the small species, and makes no mention 

 of any from the larger one; and Dr. Roxburgh, whilst admitting that the 

 two resemble each other very much, says the leaves of the larger kind pos- 

 sess little or no fragrance when bruised. On these grounds it is now 

 assumed that the Cajeput oil of commerce is exclusively derived from the 

 M. minor. I may mention, however, that having had an opportunity of exa- 

 mining a quantity of Cajeput oil direct from the Moluccas, and in the original 

 packages, I found the bottles packed in leaves of both species, and that these 

 leaves had evidently been subjected to distillation ; and when it is considered 

 that the two species are so closely allied to each other as to render it difficult 

 to discriminate between them, that they grow in the same regions and are 

 exposed to the same circumstances of soil and climate, it would be an ano- 

 maly that one of them should furnish an oil, and the other be destitute of it. 



The oil, which is the officinal portion, is obtained from leaves gathered 

 during warm, dry weather, and placed in a sack, where they become 

 heated in a short time ; they are macerated in water and fermentation 

 permitted for one night, and afterwards distilled. The product is very 

 small ; and is of a grass-green colour. When pure, it is of different shades 

 of green, which at one time was thought to be owing to the presence of 

 copper, but careful investigation has shown that this tint is dependent on 

 chlorophylline or some analogous resinous principle. Sometimes the oil is 

 nearly white, clear, and very limpid. It has a strong aroma resembling a 

 mixture of camphor, rosemary and cardamoms ; the taste is pungent, with 

 an after-sensation of coolness like that produced by the oil of peppermint. 

 No oil is more often adulterated, and when of a dark colour and not wholly 

 soluble in alcohol, should always be rejected. 



Levekohn says that this oil is a compound fluid, consisting of two distinct 

 oils, one of a green colour, heavier than the ordinary fixed oils, the other, 

 which constitutes seven-eighths of the whole, being light and colourless. 



Medical Properties. — Cajeput oil is a powerful diffusible stimulant and 

 antispasmodic, with some diaphoretic powers ,* it is somewhat allied both to 

 valerian and camphor in its action, but does not affect the mental faculties 

 when given in large doses, as is the case with these two articles. It is much 

 used among the Malays and on the continent of Europe, but is seldom pre- 

 scribed in England or this country. It is employed in much the same cir- 

 cumstances in which the others have been found beneficial, as in convulsive 

 and spasmodic affections. In flatulent colic and some forms of gastralgia, 

 a few drops taken on sugar, it has procured much relief, and it is said by Ru- 

 dolphi to be a g6od anthelmintic. During the prevalence of the Asiatic 

 Cholera in Europe it was confidently recommended, and in consequence rose 

 enormously in price, but a short trial with it proved that it possessed no power 

 over the disease, beyond that of any other stimulant. As a stimulating em- 

 brocation in chronic rheumatism, it has attained much celebrity, and has 

 certainly proved more beneficial than most of the external means of the same 

 character, but is not equal to the 01. monardce. It is sometimes effectual in 

 removing toothache, by application to the carious tooth. 



It has also been used with some success to protect woollen articles and 

 specimens in natural history from the attacks of insects ; and it is the best 

 solvent for Caoutchouc. Another species, the M. myrtifolia or tea-tree, is 

 abundant in New Holland, where the leaves were formerly used by the colo- 

 nists as a substitute for the Chinese tea" (Bennet, Wanderings, i. 95). 



