THE ODOROUS SUBSTANCES OF THE FRENCH COLONIES. 455 



number of specimens of the riches of that country, amongst which we 

 remarked the flowers of the cassie and lavender, vetivert, aniseed, cumin, 

 nutmegs, ilipe oil, which could be employed in soap-making, and lastly, 

 the ben-oil seeds, which we have already noticed Irom the Antilles. 



In the extensive collection which Admiral Charner sent from 

 Cochin China, were fine specimens of benzoin, and an aromatic bark 

 (Alyxia aromatica), which could be employed in perfumery. New 

 Caledonia offers a specimen of Erromanga sandal wood ' (JSantalum 

 Austro-Caledonicum), which is superior to that of other countries, 

 owing to the strength and fineness of its odour. It is to be 

 regretted that this tree is being ruthlessly destroyed in the colony, 

 as the wood is of such great use in perfumery. We noticed 

 some other interesting specimens, among which were Ocotea, a bark 

 possessing an odour very nearly approaching to sassafras, and the leaves 

 and essence of cajeput (Melaleuca leucodendron et viridiflora). It appears 

 that the trees belonging to the family of Melaleuca are very abundant 

 in New Caledonia. They are equally so in British Australia, which 

 exhibited a very fine collection of essences extracted from the leaves of 

 several Melaleuca and Eucalypti. Those essences, although a little 

 coarse, would do to perfume common soaps, and might in the 

 course of time prove a fresh resource for the colony, and a great 

 saving to manufacturers ; for they are yielded in such abundance, that 

 they cost very little beyond the expense of distillation. The essen- 

 tial oil of Eucalyptus amygdalina, for example, exhibited from 

 the English colony of Victoria, costs less than one shilling per lb. 

 and its odour, which is a singular mixture of lemon and nutmeg, is so 

 powerful that three ounces are sufficient to perfume eight pounds of 

 soap. There is every reason to believe that the same kinds exist in New 

 Caledonia, and in that case the extraction of the essence would become a 

 profitable speculation for the colonists. 



To return to the French colonies, St. Marie de Madagascar sent cloves, 

 nutmegs, cinnamon, faham, citronelle and vetivert, and a very curious 

 substance called Pulpe de Ravensara (Agathopliyllum aromaticum). 

 Tahiti exhibited a fine specimen of vanilla, the first that this colony 

 has produced, and tamanu oil, from the fruit of Cahphyllum iuoplnjllum, 

 which might be made use of in perfumery. 



It remains now to speak of Algeria, which bids fair soon to rival 

 Provence for the manufacture of the finer materials of perfumery. In 

 fact, its magnificent climate admirably favours the culture of the prin- 

 cipal flowers which are employed in this industry, such as the rose, 

 jasmine, orange, cassie, tuberose, and jonquil. The violet alone does 

 not find there that shade which it requires ; but the geranium, lavender, 

 thyme, rosemary, and other aromatic plants grow in wild luxuriance. 

 The citron-tree and all its varieties, such as the bergamotte, biga- 

 radier, &c, the fruits of which afford such precious essences for per- 

 fumery, are equally abundant. A dozen exhibitors sent specimens 



