— 79 — 



is not suited for the preparation of oil, the yield being too small. The 

 constants of the oil are as follow: d|§ 0,8390, n D 1,4675, sap. v. 8,5. 



The precise botanical classification of the two Citrus-species still 

 remains to be determined. 



Eucalyptus Oil. There is very little to be said concerning this oil^ 

 the market position having undergone hardly any change. Lately, however, 

 the demand for the common Australian variety, which consists chiefly of 

 "amygdalina" oil, has been so keen as to lead to a tightening of prices, 

 but whether the present range of values can be maintained remains to 

 be seen. "Globulus" oil has also been in strong demand, but the chief 

 interest continues to be manifested in our pure eucalyptol, which we are 

 in a position to supply on most favourable terms. 



The enormous quantities of eucalyptus oil which have lately been 

 used in the mining districts of Australia in the recovery of zinc and 

 lead sulphides 1 ), have induced M r H. G. Smith the well-known chemist, to 

 enquire whether the Australian Commonwealth will be able to continue 

 to supply sufficient oil to meet the demand 2 ). At present the gathering 

 of the leaves is still too costly, and moreover the necessary hands for 

 the work are lacking, but Smith is of opinion that this difficulty may be 

 overcome by the use of machines for collecting the raw material, and by 

 the erection of large plant. Generally speaking, he says, the distilling 

 plants are much too small ; he has only seen one still (on Kangaroo Island) 

 capable of holding 5000 lbs. of green leaves (of Eucalyptus cneorifolia). 

 The charge from this still can be emptied within 6 minutes, and each 

 distillation yields about 100 lbs. oil. If heating by open hearths were 

 replaced by steam-heating it would be possible, according to Smith, con- 

 siderably to increase the yield. 



We cannot spare the space to refer in detail to the enquiries made 

 by Smith in the different districts, but his report clearly shows that at 

 present the distillation of eucalyptus oil in Australia is not yet conducted 

 on rational principles. 



The third part of the second volume of J. H. Maiden's work entitled 

 "A critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus" 3 ) contains a description of 

 e following Eucalyptus-species: Eucalyptus affinis, Deane et Maiden, 

 '. paniculata, Sm., E. polyanthemos , Schauer (E. Dawsoni, R. T. Baker; 

 E. polyanthemos, Schauer var. glauca, R. T. Baker; E. ovalifolia, R. T. Baker; 

 E. ovalifolia. R. T. Baker var. lanceolata, R. T. Baker et H. G. Smith), 



*) Comp. Report April 1911, 72; October 1911, 49. 



-) The Technical Gazette of N. S.Wales, of 29/5/1911. From a reprint kindly sent to us. 



? >) Sec Report April 1911, 73. 



