178 A. R. PENFOLD. 



aromadendrene is a definite constituent of the oil of this 

 species. 



The physical constants of the principal fraction boiling 

 at 129 - 132° O. point to the presence of eudesmene in 

 quantity, although the refractive index is on the low side. 

 None of the well known derivatives of sesquiterpenes could 

 be prepared, but the samples gave the beautiful colour 

 reactions described for eudesmene and allied sesquiterpenes 

 (See paper by the author, this Journal, liv, (1920), p. 205, 

 206), viz:— 



(a) Bromine vapour allowed to fall upon the surface of an 

 acetic acid solution gave a violet crimson colouration 

 changing to indigo blue. 



(b) A few drops of sulphuric acid added to a solution in 



acetic anhydride gave a bright green colouration 

 changing to deep blue on standing. 



Although the refractive index is lower than usually found 

 for eudesmene, 1*5074 to 1*5078, as it is a very difficult 

 matter to prepare these bodies in a state of absolute purity, 

 the writer prefers to consider this constituent as eudesmene 

 contaminated with small amounts of unknown impurities. 



Determination of the Sesquiterpene Alcohol. — The frac- 

 tions of the oils from Hill Top and Blackheath material 

 boiling at about 140-156° C. at 10 mm. (See Table II) which 

 solidified on keeping, were spread out on porous plates for 

 absorption of adhering sesquiterpene to take place. After 

 about ten days, the hard cakes were dissolved in alcohol, 

 filtered, and recrystallised by addition of water. This was 

 repeated until crystals were obtained of fixed melting point 

 after drying upon porous plates. They formed an exceed- 

 ingly light and bulky white mass of well developed acicular 

 crystals possessing a silky lustre, quite characteristic of 

 eudesmol. The crystals melted at 81° O. (Hill Top speci- 

 mens) and 79-80° O. (Blackheath sample), and boiled at 



