116 R. T. BAKER AND H. G. SMITH. 
Considerable investigation was undertaken about that time 
concerning some of the properties of this oil, such as its 
solvent action on resins, and for burning in lamps, (The 
Technologist 3, 1863, p. 17). Mr. Bosisto states that from 
100 ibs of leaves and branchlets he obtained 5 ounces of a 
very limpid and almost colourless. oil, partaking much of — 
“cajuput”’ flavour; that with ageit improved greatly giving 
more the aroma of the flowers. The specific gravity of 
this sample is recorded by him as 0°899. 
In a paper on Hssential Oils by Dr. J. H. Gladstone,. 
(Journ. Ohem. Soc., 17, 1864, p. 1) the constants for tbe oil 
of this Melaleuca are given. The specimen had been for- 
warded to London for display in the Hxhibition of 1862, 
and with others was handed to Dr. Gladstone for investi- 
gation. The specific gravity recorded by him was 0°903 
at 15°5° O.; refractive index ny =1°4712; and rotation in a 
tube 10 inches long +26—or corrected for 1 decimetre. 
tube +10°23°. 
Beyond the additional statement that the oil of Mela- 
leuca ericifolia bears a striking resemblance to the “‘caju- 
put’’ of commerce, obtained from Melaleuca leucadendron 
of the Moluccas,! (The Technologist loc. cit.); and the 
remark by Dr. Gladstone, (Journ. Chem. Soc. 25, 1872, p. 1), 
‘that the same oxidised compound as occurs in oil of 
““Cajuput”” was evidently the principal constituent in the 
oil derived from Melaleuca ericifolia,’’ nothing further 
appears to have been known as to the chemical properties. 
of the oil of this Australian species. 
It was thought desirable, therefore, that an investigation. 
should be undertaken, so that the chemical composition. 
and economic possibilities of the oil of this species of 
Melaleuca might be determined. 

+ Evidently Melaleuca minor, Sm. See Part V of this series of papers. 
This Journal 1918. 

