Feb. 1, 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE INDIGENOUS PLANTS OF VICTORIA. 325 



constitute more than one-fourth by weight of the whole, its productive- 

 ness must be regarded as tolerably considerable. The yield is variously 

 stated, as will be found recorded in the table concluding this class of 

 oils. Owing to the smallness of the quantities produced, the specific 

 gravity ol this oil could not be determined. In taste and smell this oil 

 hardly differs from ordinary oil of peppermint, but it may be described 

 as somewhat coarser than the best samples of that substance. 



This oil would undoubtedly be a saleable commodity in Australia, 

 for the use of the druggist and confectioner, in place of the imported 

 peppermints, some of which suffer adulteration to a large extent. 



Mentha grandiflora. — This mint has a fiery, bitter, and very unplea- 

 sant nauseous taste, together with the characteristic after-taste ; it could 

 not be used as a substitute for common peppermint, except for medical 

 purpose?. Its specific gravity is - 924, and its yield 5 ounces from 100 

 lbs. of the fresh herb. 



Mentha gravilis. — The herb from which this oil is produced contains 

 a portion of its volatile oil iu the steins ; the total yield .from 100 lbs. 

 of the green plant being 3 ounces. In its properties this oil resembles 

 the M. Australis more closely than the M. grandijlora. Its smell is like 

 oil of peppermint, with a slight admixture of pennyroyal. Its taste is 

 very diffusible, but less pungent than the officinal oil. 



There can be no question that fur medical purposes the three oils 

 of the genus Mentha, which have been described, would prove to be 

 carminative stimulants like the European species. 



Zieria lanceolata. — This shrub or small-sized tree is an inhabitant of 

 moist valleys and river banks, in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tas- 

 mania. Its botanical classification requires it to be placed with the 

 plants of the Rue tribe, and in the same category with the next follow- 

 ing genus. 



It is thought that both these plants might be used medicinally as 

 substitutes for tne South African buchu. 



The supply of oil from the leaves of the Zieria lanceolata is tolerably 

 copious, 100 lbs. of the fresh green shrub inclusive of branchlets fur- 

 nishing 6J ounces of a pale yellow limpid oil, the odour of which is 

 hardly distinguishable from that of the oil of rue, though perhaps a 

 little less intense and penetrating. Its taste is very disagreeable and 

 acrid, strongly resembling that of rue. The medicinal action of this oil 

 is that of a diuretic and diaphoretic. 



Eriostemon squameus. — The oil from this shrub resembles that of the 

 preceding, but is less disagreeable, and more aromatic both in taste and 

 smell, and is in these respects also preferable to oil of rue. 100 lbs. of 

 the freshly gathered leaves and branchlets yield 4 ounces of a pale 

 yellow oil. 



Pittosporum undulatum. — The essential oil from the blossoms of this 

 plant is a limpid colourless fluid, lighter than water, of an exceedingly 

 agreeable odour, resembling the perfume of jasmin flowers. Its fragrance 



