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No satisfactory explanation can yet be given of these occurrences, 

 especially of the remarkable conversion of the muskone odour into 

 musk odour. 



Zwaardemaker believes that the adsorption of the odours and 

 the conversion of the musk odour take place within the condensed 

 air film which covers all surfaces. But the view that the odoriferous 

 substances are absorbed by the metals themselves is also worthy of 

 consideration. 



These interesting observations of Zwaardemaker on the adhesi- 

 bility of odours to metals and other substances deserve a further 

 study. Not less important, though at present even less capable of 

 explanation, appears to us the observation made by Zwaardemaker 

 of the change in the odour-quality during the adhesion of the muskone 

 odour to certain substances. The fact that in such cases the 

 muskone odour changes into musk odour, appears to justify in the 

 first instance the question as to what, according to Zwaardemaker, 

 must here be understood by musk odour. According to our study 

 of the odoriferous substances of natural musk, the natural musk odour 

 is a mixed odour, which is brought about by the joint action of the 

 muskone odour with other unpleasantly smelling substances of the 

 musk-secretion. But it can scarcely be accepted that the muskone 

 odour, while adhering to non- odorous surfaces, should come to resemble 

 this mixed odour! However this may be, the fact itself is already 

 important, that under certain conditions a pronounced change in the 

 odour-quality, which is not due to greater dilution of the odoriferous 

 substances, should occur at all. 



Peru balsam. Numerous enquiries on the part of consumers 

 induce us to point out that for the present there is no prospect of 

 cheaper prices for this article, as the supplies remain scarce, and are 

 barely sufficient for the current demand. The enormous increase in 

 the prices is said to be due to this, that the Indians in the producing 

 districts are afraid to bring the balsam into the towns, as they would 

 expose themselves to the risk, owing to the warlike conditions in San 

 Salvador and Guatemala, of being "pressed" into military service. There 

 are also frequent reports that the exporters in the producing districts 

 have come to an understanding with regard to the prices. 



Safrol. Having made purchases in good time of large parcels 

 of raw material, we were fortunately able to escape entirely the 

 enormous prices of crude camphor oil quoted in May, and we have 

 now only goods at our disposal which have been bought advantageously, 

 and which we are consequently able to offer to the consumers at 

 reduced quotations. For the rest, we would refer to our detailed in- 

 formation on camphor oil on p. 20 of the present Report, and would 



