L-PHELLANDRENE IN THE OIL OF MELALEUCA ACUMINATA. 159 
4 
ON THE OCCURRENCE OF L-PHHLLANDRENE IN 
THE OIL OF MELALEUCA ACUMINATA. 
By HENRY G. SMITH, F.C.S. 
[Read before the Royal Society of N. 8S. Wales, October 4, 1922. | 
SHORTLY prior to my retirement from the Technological 
Museum there was received from Professor A. J. Perkins 
of the Agricultural Department of South Australia, a 
sample of the oil of Melaleuca acuminata for report, which 
had been distilled in Kangaroo Island, where this Melaleuca 
is known as “* Lavender Bush.”’ 
There is a considerable industry carried on in Kangaroo 
Island in the distillation of Hucalyptus oil from leaves of 
Eucalyptus cneorifolia and E. odorata, and it was sug- 
gested that perhaps this Melaleuca might produce an oil of 
equal value. 
As the chief terpene was found to be phellandrene it was 
thought desirable that permanent record should be made 
of the fact, particularly as this appears to be the first time 
that phellandrene has been found in the oils of species 
belonging to this genus. 
In April; 1892, Messrs. Schimmel & Co. received from 
Messrs. Cumming & Co. of Adelaide, a sample of the oil of 
this species, and record (Semi-annual report, April) the 
specific gravity as 0°892, and rotation ay —15° 2’, also that 
it contained much cineol; but no attempt appears to have 
been made to identify the terpenes. 
It will be observed how closely these constants agree 
with those now recorded, which again supports the con- 
clusion of relative constancy of the oil products of individual 
species grown under natural conditions. 
