- 6 3 - 



0,8904 (i5°); a D — I 5°34'; ester number 34,2; ester number after 

 acetylation 59,9. The oil does not form a clear solution with 

 10 vol. 90 per cent, alcohol, and even when 95 per cent, alcohol is 

 used, the solution is only clear at the commencement; when more 

 than 1,5 vol. alcohol is added, cloudiness occurs also in this case. 

 The esters of the oil, judging from the odour, consist chiefly of 

 bornyl acetate; from the ester number given above, a content of 

 i2°/ bornyl acetate is calculated. 



We were unfortunately unable to ascertain whether the oil originates 

 from Solidago odora Aiton, although this appears probable inasmuch as the 

 distillates of this plant specially are called in America "Oil of golden rod". 



The second sample received by us was derived froms Solidago 

 nemoralis. The bright olive-green oil had a peculiar odour, reminding 

 somewhat of cypress oil. The constants were; d^o 0,8799, a r> — 2 3° IO '> 

 ester number 14,4, ester number after acetylation 38,2. The oil 

 formed a cloudy solution in about 7 and more vol. 95 per cent, alcohol. 



Spearmint Oil. The principal American distillers admit that 

 with the high prices of the last few years, the consumption has fallen 

 off, but not by far in the same proportion as the production which 

 is said to be now only one fourth of what it used to be. For this 

 reason a decline in the value is said to be out of the question. 



In Thuringia the distillation ceased already years ago. 



Spike Oil. The manufacturers in the South of France have 

 received a useful lesson with this article. Whilst at the high tide of 

 the lavender oil speculation as much as 12 francs were paid for 

 spike oil, and even in October the market-price was 9,50 to 10 francs, 

 there are now offers at 7 francs on the market, and it is very prob- 

 able that we shall again arrive at normal conditions in the course 

 of this year. In England there are large speculative stocks which 

 are offered excitedly. 



It appears advisable to refrain from large purchases until the 

 situation has become clearer. 



Staivanise Oil. Since the middle of last year the prices have 

 advanced without interruption, and they are now about 1/- per lb. 

 higher than at that time. The reason given, as far as Tonquin is 

 concerned, is the bad star-anise harvest, and although no reports have 

 been received from the neighbouring Chinese districts, the same may 

 apply to that source of supply. 



The export of Chinese oils of cassia and star-anise, according to 

 Hong Kong export-lists, was in 1905 



to the United Kingdom . . . 526 cases 



„ „ Continent 2283 „ 



Total 2809 cases, 



