ODORS AND LIFE. 195 
was there exhibited a pear-oil, diffusing a pleasant smell 
like that of a jargonel, and employed to give an aroma to 
bonbons. This product is nothing else than a solution of 
amylacetic ether in alcohol. Apple-oil was exhibited be- 
side the pear-oil, having the fragrance of the best rennets, 
and produced by dissolving amylvaleric ether in alcohol. 
The commonest essence was that of pineapple, which is 
nothing else than ordinary butyric ether. There was ob- 
served, too, an essence of cognac, or grape-oil, used to im- 
part to poor brandies the highly-prized aroma of cognac. 
The product which was then, and still is, the most impor- 
tant article of manufacture, is the essence of “ mirbane,” 
which very closely resembles in its odor that of bitter-al- 
monds, and which commerce very often substitutes for the 
latter. Essence of mirbane is nothing else than nitroben- 
zine, which results from the action of nitric acid on ben- 
zine. Benzine, in turn, is met with among the products of 
distillation of tar, which also yield the substances used in 
preparing those beautiful colors called aniline. Besides 
the essences we have just mentioned, which are gaining an 
increasing importance in the manufacturing arts, artificial 
essences of quinces are also prepared, and essences of 
strawberries, of rum, etc. All these preparations serve, it 
must be admitted, to give an aroma to the cordials, confec- 
tioneries, and sweetmeats, which are so largely sold now- 
adays. In other words, the products of industry are con- 
stantly and ina greater degree taking the place of those of 
Nature. In all these cases, these instances of composition 
of odorous principles are among the finest triumphs of or- 
ganic chemistry. The creative power of the chemist is ever 
widening its range. After the labors of Piria, Wertheim, 
and Cahours, came those of Berthelot, who has imitated 
the fatty matters of the animal economy. We are at this 
moment in progress toward the artificial manufacture of 
sugar. If we succeed in that, nothing more will remain 
