— 148 — 



carbonates, while it does react with those of caustic alkalies, from which 

 latter it is again separated out by acidulation. Although when heated 

 with benzoyl chloride it reacted violently, the yield of the resulting benzoyl 

 compound was only slight, the greater part of the compound having re- 

 mained intact. After repeated recrystallisation from alcohol the benzoyl 

 compound formed stout crystals, melting at 89°. 



Dr. A. J. Ultee, of Salatiga, Java, has recently sent us two samples of 

 essential oils which we desire to describe here only briefly, as a detailed 

 publication concerning their composition has been promised by Dr. Ultee 

 himself. 



Oil of Alpinia Galanga Willd. (N. O. Zingiberacese). This oil was of a 

 lemon-yellow colour and possessed a peculiar, strongly aromatic odour. 

 Its constants were as follows: di 5 o 0,9847, « D +4°20 f , n D20 o 1,51638, 

 acid no. 1,8, ester no. 145,6, soluble in its own vol. of 80% alcohol, 

 opalescence ensuing upon the addition of 3 vols. According to Dr. Ultee, 

 the oil contains pinene, cineol, camphor, and methyl cinnamate. The 

 ester number of the oil indicates the presence of 42% methyl cinnamate. 



Oil of Gastrochilus pandurata Ridl. (N. O. Zingiberaceas). This oil 

 was almost colourless; its odour strongly resembled those of estragon and 

 basilicum oils. di 50 0,8746; « D -f- 10° 24'; n D20O 1,48957; acid no. 0; ester no. 

 17,3; imperfectly soluble in 10 vols. 80% alcohol, but making a clear 

 mixture with 90% alcohol. 



Pharmacopoeias. 



In a lengthy article 1 ), Jeancard and Satie call attention to what they 

 regard as various defects in respect of the identification tests of essential 

 oils in the Pharmacopoeias which have been published between the years 

 1902 and 1909, and lay down the principles according to which they think 

 the essential oils should be dealt with in every modern Pharmacopoeia. 



Chemical Preparations and Drugs. 



Benzylacetate, free from chlorine. Now that this preparation, 

 owing to the perfection of manufacturing methods can be supplied at 

 such low prices, it has established itself everywhere, and it may be said 

 without exaggeration that benzylacetate has become an indispensable 

 article in the modern perfumery and soap-making industries. It is true 

 that there are manufacturers who offer at a reduction even on our very 

 low prices, but only recently we had occasion to convince ourselves that. 



!) Rev. gen. de Chim. 13 (1910), 105; quoted from Chem. Zentralbl. 1910, I. 1803. 



