— 144 — 



planation of such "cheap" prices. The sample submitted to us had the-, 

 following characters: di 5 ol,1198, n D2 oo 1 ,56836, ester-content 93,7 °/ . Its 

 inferior quality was revealed in the first place by the ester-content, which 

 was much too low, the specific gravity and index of refraction being also 

 below the mark. The product, furthermore, did not solidify below about 

 15,5°, whereas the solidifying point of a preparation which answers all 

 requirements is about 18°. In determining the solidifying point it is 

 necessary to cool down the oil to about +10°, as otherwise the process 

 of solidification proceeds too slowly. 



We desire to call attention to the necessity of always stipulating that 

 benzyl benzoate, whatever the conditions, should have an ester-content 

 of from 98 to 100%. The sp. gr. of a preparation of good quality lies 

 between 1,121 and 1,125 and the index of refraction between 1,569 and 

 1,570 (20°). 



Borneol. The Revue scientifique (1911, p. 82) 1 ) contains an article 

 on Borneo-camphor, which is here referred to in passing because we have 

 on several occasions dealt with the principal subject-matter of the con- 

 tribution, which is chiefly devoted to a description of the collection of 

 the drug 2 ) 



Civet. We cannot too frequently direct attention to our excellently 

 assorted stock. At the present time a somewhat large shipment is on 

 the way for us, and judging by the samples to hand, its quality may fairly 

 be described as exquisite. We hope that it may not be necessary to alter 

 our selling-prices, but the article is very firm indeed, the demand for 

 really good qualities being quite keen. 



Menthol. Generally speaking, adulteration of menthol is seldom heard 

 of in the wholesale trade, and for that reason a recent experience of ours 

 in connection with the delivery of a parcel of menthol may be of interest. 

 When the residual mother-liquor after the first recrystallisation of the crude 

 product was about to be again worked up for menthol, we obtained crystals 

 which, although similar to menthol in appearance, had a much higher 

 melting-point and contained a considerable proportion of halogens. After 

 repeated recrystallisation from dilute alcohol they finally gave m. p. 76°. 

 Our surmise that these crystals consisted of «-bromo-camphor was con- 

 firmed both by the pronounced halogen-reaction and by the fact that, when 

 reduced with zinc-dust and glacial acetic acid, they could be converted 

 into camphor; the last-named body being identified from its oxime af?1 

 its semicarbazone. 



Whether the adulteration had been practised in Japan or in England, 

 where the parcel had been in warehouse for some considerable time, could 



^Quoted from Annal. de Pharm. 17 (1911), 489. 



2 ) Cornp.- Report April 1905, 99; April 1907, 25; October 1910, 149; April 1911, 135. 



