slightly higher temperature than usual, although Srlm-inn- 

 (Pharm. Arch. 4. 90) shows that |)!ielhtii(Ireiie nitrite melts 

 at 120-121° 0. 



The active terpene in the oil of this species of Melaleuca is 

 thus laevo-rotatory phellandrene, a most unusual constitu- 

 ent in the oils of this genus. To confirm the above results 

 100 cc. of the oil of the May collection were steam distilled, 

 12 cc. being obtained. This oil was then directly distilled 

 when 3*5 cc. came over between 173 and 200° C. This was 

 laevo-rotatory a D - 13'9°, and gave the phellandrene reac- 

 tion strongly. 



The Ester. — After removal of the free acid, the phenol 

 and the aldehyde, the oil was boiled for two hours with an 

 aqueous solution of caustic soda, under a reflex condenser. 

 The aqueous portion was separated, filtered and acidified, 

 when a considerable quantity of a solid acid was obtained; 

 this acid was purified by repeatedly crystallising from boil- 

 ing water. It was sparingly soluble in cold water, some- 

 what readily in boiling water, and was soluble in alcohol 

 and in ether. The cold aqueous solution readily discoloured 

 a very dilute solution of potassium permanganate, thus 

 indicating an unsaturated acid. The crystals melted at 

 133 C, and when treated with a strong aqueous solution of 

 potassium permanganate, developed at once the odour of 

 benzaldehyde. When 0"1264 gram of the acid was dissolved 

 in excess and titrated hack, it was found to have neutralised 

 8*5 cc. decinorma! NaOH, thus indicating a molecular 

 weight 148. O.H.O, = 148. 



The above results show cinnamic acid to be the acid of 

 the ester in the oil of this species of Melaleuca, agreeing 

 in this respect with the free acid. The aqueous portion 

 separated from the cinnamic acid was distilled, but no indi- 

 cations for a volatile acid were obtained, so that acetic acid 

 does not occur. The identity of the alcohol of the ester is 



