— 55 — 



bearer must be found in an isomeric liquid terpineol of a somewhat lower 

 boiling point, but they were unable to produce any proof in support of this. 



The other fraction boiling from 130 to 140 (17 mm.) consisted 

 almost entirely of hydrocarbons. The authors succeeded in isolating 

 from it a sesquiterpene C 15 H 24 belonging to the class of light sesqui- 

 terpenes, to which they have given the name "limene". It represents 

 a colourless oil, with a faint but peculiar odour, which readily resin- 

 ifies, and boils at 9 mm. at 13 1°, whilst at ordinary pressure (756 mm.) 

 it passes over between 262 and 263 with slight decomposition. The 

 other properties of limene are: d 15 o 0,873; aD io°; n Di9,5° l A9 l °) 

 molecular refraction 68,2, calculated for C 15 H 24 (with three double- 

 linkings) 67,76; with this agrees the fact that the compound absorbs 

 6 atoms bromine. 



Of the derivatives, only the trihydrochloride C 15 H 24 . 3HCI could 

 be produced, with the help of which the hydrocarbon had also been 

 isolated. It is characterised by a strong capacity of crystallising, and 

 forms colourless crystals of the melting point 79 to 8o°, which readily 

 dissolve in ether, acetic ether, and acetone, but are less soluble in 

 alcohol, glacial acetic acid, and chloroform. 



Limene was also found in limette oil obtained by expression, and 

 further in lemon oil; other oils will still be examined for it. 



We would point out that we also isolated some time ago from 

 terpeneless lemon oil a light sesquiterpene 1 ) which agrees well with 

 the one described above, except in the rotation (« D — 42°). The 

 difference in the optical behaviour may possibly be explained by the 

 fact that Burgess and Page accomplished the production in the pure 

 state by means of the hydrochloride. 



Linaloe Oil. The value of this article during the last six months 

 did not undergo any pronounced fluctuations. It is said that improved 

 installations for the distillation of linaloe oil have recently been erected 

 in Mexican territory by a certain party, which on the spot where the 

 wood is felled works up exclusively the core of centurial linaloe-trees, 

 stated to yield an oil of special quality. From the same quarter it 

 is somewhat rashly reported that the distillation will in a few year's 

 time come to a standstill owing to lack of wood. Such statements 

 do not tend to promote sympathetic feeling towards this undertaking, 

 for as far as we know, the linaloe-tree grows in different Mexican 

 provinces. The oil distilled in French Guyana from so-called Bois 

 de rose femelle is now exceedingly well introduced in commerce; a large 

 trade is, however, prevented by the high prices. 



As a distinctive sign of the purity of linaloe oil, laevorotation is 

 taken among others; this should usually not be less than 5 . Partial 



*) Report April 1903, 37. 



