— 6o — 



whilst the auctions, as a matter of fact, are reported as showing about 

 ioo tons more, i. e. in round figures 2400 tons. The disposition was 

 very animated, partly at decidedly higher prices. We are informed 

 that the latter are chiefly due to competition by native purchasers, 

 who alone have taken off the market about 800 tons, i. e. one third 

 of the entire quantity. 



Under these conditions it is keenly felt that the prices of sandal- 

 wood oil should be raised proportionate to the values of the wood, 

 but in view of the existing competition this will no doubt remain 

 just at present a vain desire. 



The Madras Mail of 1 5 th September 1 905 contained a long report 

 from the Administration of Forests in Mysore, from which we see 

 that no fewer than 28360 sandal- trees in the Mysore district, and 973 

 in the Hassan district, had to be uprooted, as having been attacked 

 by the "spiked-disease. On the other hand, detailed experiments have 

 proved that neither inoculation with diseased shoots, nor contact of 

 the roots of healthy and diseased trees, can transmit the disease. 



The Conservator states that the disease rarely occurs in districts 

 where the other vegetation which exists alongside the sandal-trees 

 is strong and healthy, which would support the theory that the spike- 

 disease depends upon the degree of nutrition, and not upon the 

 condition of the soil, but upon the neighbouring trees which, if of 

 less duration of life than the sandal-trees, infect the latter. For this 

 reason the disease does not appear to be of such importance as was 

 originally believed. 



Adulterations of sandalwood oil have again been observed on 

 several occasions. Of particular interest is the case reported upon by 

 E. Parry 1 ), as we here become acquainted with a new and rather 

 ingeniously selected adulterant. Parry namely found in a sandal oil 

 originating from Germany, which was at once suspected on account 

 of its low price, an adulteration with terpineol. The oil in question 

 had the following properties: d 150 0,970; «d — 14 ; esterified santalol 

 3,5 °/ , apparent content of total santalol 93,5%; soluble in 5 vol. 

 70 per cent, alcohol. 



By means of repeated fractional distillation in vacuo there was 

 finally obtained a fraction consisting of about 5°/ of the oil used, 

 which already by the odour revealed itself as terpineol, and which 

 was identified as such by its physical properties and by the nitroso- 

 chloride. Parry believes that terpineol was not the only substance 

 added, but that the oil also contained West Indian Sandalwood oil, 

 particularly certain readily soluble fractions of the latter richer in ses- 

 quiterpene alcohol. Parry intends following this matter up further. 



*) Chemist and Druggist 68 (1906) 72, 211. 



