62 — 



t 





be desirable to use methyl alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol for the second 

 test, because the oil is less soluble in the former, hence the clouding- 

 temperature is in excess of the atmospheric room-temperature and there 

 is no need for artificial cooling, as would have to be done with ethyl 

 alcohol of 93 to 94 p. c. strength. 



The same test can be applied with advantage to oils of orange and 

 mandarin, both of which are much less soluble than is lemon oil. 



In estimating the solubility the fact must be taken into account that 

 oils of different origin behave differently, as the condition of the soil 

 affects the constitution of the oil. 



A comparatively readily soluble oil with a rotation of 58 to 60° and a 

 difference of from 4 to 5,3° between the direct rotation and the rotation 

 of the distillate 1 ), and with a comparatively high citral-content (5 to 5,8 p. c. 

 according to Romeo 2 ), or 4,5 to 5 p. c. according to the hydroxylamine 

 method) is furnished by the East Coast of the Province of Messina, 

 especially by the districts of S ta Teresa and Scaletta. 



A typical oil from volcanic districts has a rotation of +61 to 63°, the 

 rotation of the distillate 1 ) is about 5 to 7° less. It is less soluble and 

 has a citral-content, according to the hydroxylamine method, of 4 to 4,2 p. c. 

 (according to Romeo 4,3 to 4,5 p.c.) 2 ). As the season grows older the 

 citral-content increases, whereas the solubility remains almost unchanged. 



An oil produced on chalky soil (Syracuse) showed a rotation of 65 to 

 67°, was readily soluble, had a normal (?) citral-content and showed only 

 a slight difference between the direct rotation and the rotation of the 

 distillate. (Oils with a high rotation scarcely ever show a larger difference 

 than 3°.) 



Estragon Oil. Our Miltitz plantations have furnished material for 

 a sufficient supply of this oil. Our quality is very much sought after 

 and our stocks therefore, as a rule, do not last long. 



Eucalyptus Oil. Our globulus oil, containing over 80 p. c. of eucalyptol, 

 has been in very strong demand during the last few months, because the 

 reports received from Australia are to the effect that the producers are 

 asking higher rates and that there is talk of an impending restriction of^ 

 the manufacture. In spite of the fact that we hold large stocks of eucalyptus SB 

 oil we have been compelled to advance the quotations several times, after 

 first affording our customers an opportunity of covering their supplies in 

 good time at advantageous rates. The market remains firm and we regard 

 a further tightening of the prices as more than likely. 



*) The author does not state whether the initial 10 p. c. or 50 p. c. of the distillate are 

 referred to. 



2 ) We have already on a previous occasion, in discussing this method, pointed out that 

 it gives no useful results. Comp. Report October 1905, 30. 



