108 R. T. BAKER AND H. G. SMITH. 



acetate. The amount of geranyl-acetate in the crude oil 

 was 2*9 per cent. The volatile acid was separated from 

 the high boiling fraction and from the residue and proved 

 to be acetic. There is also an undetermined alcohol present 

 both in the free condition and as an ester, but it was not 

 separated and its identity is thus undetermined. 



The Phenols. — 250 cc. of oil (230 grams) were agitated 

 with 5 per cent, aqueous potash until the phenols were 

 dissolved, the aqueous portion was separated, shaken out 

 with ether to remove adhering oil, and acidified. The 

 separated phenols were removed with ether and evaporated 

 to constant weight. The total weight of the phenols was 

 1*492 gram, equal to 0*65 per cent. The phenol was liquid, 

 had the appearance and odour of carvacrol, and gave the 

 reactions required for that substance. After some weeks 

 it was still a thick liquid, although the thinner portions 

 showed signs of crystallisation. These crystals were added 

 to the liquid phenol, and after about another week, crystals 

 had formed in the mass. It is thus shown that both thymol 

 and carvacrol are present in the oil of this Prostanthera. 

 These phenols are frequently found in the oils of members 

 of the Labiatse. 



The Aldehyde. — The oil, after the removal of the phenols, 

 was well washed and treated for some hours with an almost 

 saturated solution of sodium bisulphite, with repeated 

 agitation. A little solid formed, this was filtered off, well 

 washed with ether-alcohol and dried on a porous slab. It 

 was then decomposed by heating with carbonate of soda, 

 extracted with ether, and the aldehyde evaporated to con- 

 stant weight. It weighed 0*326 gram, equal to 0*142 per 

 cent. Nothing was obtained from the decomposition of the 

 aqueous portion. The aldehyde was liquid, slightly tinged 

 yellow, and had the odour of cuminaldehyde, or of aroma- 

 dendral, (the aldehyde of some Eucalyptus oils). As only 



