more ester than does French oil. We pointed out at the time that this 

 is not necessarily an advantage in the oil, and may perhaps be connected 

 with the less careful selection of the distilling material. This surmise 

 has been confirmed by the opinion given by an expert in a law-suit heard 

 at Blida (Algeria) concerning neroli oils manufactured there. According 

 to the copy of the expert's opinion now before us the material used for 

 distilling consisted chiefly of flower-buds, whereas in France the utmost 

 care is taken to use, as far as possible, only mature flowers for distilling 

 purposes. The expert's opinion would explain the differences in the pro- 

 perties of Algerian and French oils, but we doubt if the former equal the 

 latter in delicacy of odour. Not until the flowers are selected with the 

 same care in Algeria as they are in France will it be possible to decide 

 whether the differences in the conditions of the soil and the climate of 

 the two countries also find expression in the neroli oils produced there. 



Niaouli Oil. The distillate from the leaves of Melaleuca viridiflora, 

 frequently also known as Gomenol, has been often demanded of late, and 

 this has induced us to make arrangements for regular supplies of this 

 oil, which is prepared in New Caledonia. Its use is restricted to medi- 

 cinal purposes. 



Nutmeg Oil. Remains unchanged and cheap. We prepare this oil 

 on the very largest scale. Its use has lately considerably increased, 

 especially in the manufacture of soaps. 



Onion Oil. In common with the oils of other species of Allium, oil of 

 onion (from Allium Cepa L.) contains sulphurous compounds. Recently, 

 for instance, W. D. Kooper 1 ) detected sulphocyanic acid which he iden- 

 tified by Colasanti's test 2 ), as well as sulphocyanallyl, identified by various 

 methods. No formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, or acroleine could be detected 

 in the oil. 



Orris Oil. We have found it necessary in the course of the summer 

 to advance the prices of both varieties of our orris oil on more than one 

 occasion. Even at present our quotations hardly correspond to the market 

 value of Florentine orris root. The demand for our distillates, which 

 are unequalled in quality, continues to be exceedingly brisk, and at times 

 our output could not keep pace with the sales. From the report of our in- 

 formants which we quote below it would seem that for the present lower 

 prices are out of the question. In fact, it will rather be advisable to be 

 prepared for further advances. Our correspondents write as follows: — 



2 ) Zeitschr. Untersuch. der Nahrungs- und GenuRmittel 19 (1910), 569. 



2 ) The highly-diluted solution is treated with 20°/o «-naphthol solution and afterwards 

 with twice its volume of concentrated sulphuric acid, when an emerald-green ring is formed 

 at the contact-surface. 



