ON THE PINES OF AUS'TRALIA. vf; 
With concentrated sulphuric acid the crystals dissolved 
easily to a yellow colour which soon became orange, and 
on standing, to a pink colour on the edges, When dehydra- 
tion was somewhat complete, a thick liquid separated. 
With strong nitric acid the crystals dissolved slowly to an 
oily mass, which after a short time became deep crimson, 
and purple to violet on the edges, the colour eventually 
fading away. 
The above results show the crystallised portion of the 
oil of Callitris wood to be the sesquiterpene alcohol Guaiol, 
and a sample of this substance, kindly sent to us by Messrs. 
Schimmel and Co., gave identical reactions in every respect. 
Guaiol was originally isolated from the oil of Guaiac wood, 
or Guaiacum wood, which was first prepared by Schimmel 
and Co. and brought into commerce as a perfumery oil. It 
was distilled from the wood of Bulnesia Sarmienti, Lor., a 
tree belonging tothe Zygophyllacee. Itis known as “‘ Palo 
balsamo’’ in Argentina, and is supplied under that name.?* 
It isremarkable that this substance should be contained in 
the wood of trees so far removed as the Callitris (Coniferee) 
of Australia, and the Zygophyllaces of South America. 
Determination of the Oil.—The liquid portion of the 
distillate was removed from the guaiol by squeezing through 
linen. It was a somewhat thick, viscous and heavy oil, 
but no signs of further crystallisation were detected in it 
even on standing for months. It was dark coloured and 
had the characteristic odour of the ‘‘Cypress Pine’’ wood 
strongly marked. For commercial purposes, where this 
peculiar and somewhat agreeable odour is desired, this oil 
would be a useful article. In localities where the wood of 
these trees is in common use, the aroma in the houses built 
of it is considered by many to be quite pleasant, as is also 
? Schimmel and Co’s., Reports, April 1898, p. 28, and October, 1898, 
p. 29. Also Gildemeister and Hoffinann, “the Volatile Oils.” p. 453. 
