TWO CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS FROM THE EUCALYPTS. 63 



the original sample of the oil of this species should have 

 shown a less amount of both ester and free alcohol than 

 has been obtained with any sample since. From numerous 

 determinations it has been found that as the naturally 

 'formed ester increases in amount, the free alcohol corres- 

 pondingly diminishes. In the sample in which 74*9 per 

 cent, of ester was found, only a comparatively small amount 

 of free alcohol was present, the acetylised oil only con- 

 taining 82*6 per cent, of ester, showing only 6 per cent, of 

 free alcohol in the oil at that time. Another sample con- 

 taining 65*8 per cent, of naturally formed ester, on acety- 

 lising gave 80*5 per cent, of ester, indicating the presence 

 of 11*5 per cent, of free alcohol. It is thus apparent that 

 the free alcohol is greater in the oil when it contains the 

 less ester. In all the determinations that I have, so far, 

 been able to make, the ratio ^^JlT' ranges between 



.so. onrl -8-2- 



10 dllU 10 0. 



The following investigation was made upon a quantity 

 of oil distilled by the Australian Eucalyptus Oil Co., from 

 Eucalyptus Macarthuri, during May last, and from the 

 results of which it can be seen that uniformity, within 

 certain limits, is obtainable with the oil of this species, 

 and that it follows the general rule in this respect. In 

 appearance and odour the crude oil was identical with 

 previous samples, and both phellandrene and Eucalyptol 

 were absent. Eudesmol, although easily detected, was 

 present in less amount than usual, consequently the specific 

 gravity was correspondingly low, in fact, it was lower than 

 that of any other sample investigated. The optical rota- 

 tion was but slight, and to the right, so that the oil is 

 always slightly dextro-rotatory, as all the samples so far 

 tested have shown that peculiarity. 



Specific gravity at 15° C. = 0*9174 

 Specific rotation [a] D = + 0*763° 



