THE TECHNOLOGIST. [April 1, 1865. 



390 THE COMMERCIAL USES OF 



which it answers admirably. Perfumers are now beginning to avail 

 themselves of its wonderful properties, and to combine it with their 

 soaps and cosmetics. 



The volatilization of perfumes by means of steam is also a modern 

 improvement. A current of steam is made to pass through a concen- 

 trated essence, from which it disengages the fragrant molecules, and 

 spreads them through the atmosphere with extraordinary rapidity and 

 force. A whole theatre may be perfumed by that means in ten minutes, 

 and a drawing-room, naturally, in much less time. This system has the 

 advantage of purifying the air, and has been adopted, on that account, 

 by some of the hospitals and other public institutions. 



It remains now for me to give a brief description of the various 

 materials used for perfumery, which are supplied by all parts of the 

 world, from the parched regions of the torrid zone to the icy realms of 

 the Arctic pole. 



They may be divided, according to their nature, into twelve series — 

 viz., the animal, floral, herbal, andropogon, citrine, spicy, ligneous, 

 radical, seminal, balmy or resinous, fruity, and artificial. 



The animal series comprises only three substances — musk, civet, and 

 ambergris. It is very useful in perfumery, on account of its powerful 

 and durable aroma, which resists evaporation longer than any other. 



Musk is a secretion formed in a pocket or pod under the belly of the 

 musk-deer, a ruminant which inhabits the higher mountain ranges of 

 China, Thibet, and Tonquin. " It is a pretty grey animal," says Dr. 

 Hooker, " the size of a roebuck, and somewhat resembling it, with 

 coarse fur, short horns, and two projecting teeth from the upper jaw, 



said to be used in rooting up the aromatic herbs from which the Bhoteas 

 believe that it derives its odour." * The male alone yields the cele- 

 brated perfume, the best being that which comes from Tonquin. The 

 next in quality is collected in Assam, whilst the Kaberdeen musk, 

 obtained from a variety of the species called Kubaya (Moschus 



* 'Himalayan Journals,' by Dr. Hooker, vol. L, p. 256. 



