— 112 — I 



We availed ourselves of this opportunity to check, with this authentic 

 material, a method proposed by L. E. Walbum 1 ) for the testing of larch 

 turpentine. 



Walbum's method is as follows: 



10 grams Venetian turpentine are dissolved in 30 grams ether, 

 and placed in a closed flask on a small water-bath at a constant 

 temperature of 20,5° C. After 10 minutes 8 cc. double-normal ammonia 

 liquid, which has previously been brought to the same temperature, 

 are admixed. The resulting completely clear liquid must congeal to 

 the consistency of a jelly after being left standing for not more than 

 1 1 minutes. 



The test with our larch turpentine showed that such a mixture does 

 not congeal into a jelly within less than about 24 hours, and then only 

 partially. As we have hithertho not heard of control-tests of Walbum's 

 method, and as the material at our disposal was indisputably pure, we 

 advise against the making of any claims based upon the method of 

 examination referred to above, at any rate until further control tests have 

 been carried out. 



Oil of Umbellularia californica. Concerning the narcotic and 

 antiseptic effect of umbellulon, see page 137. 



Valerian Oil. No change is to be recorded in this article. The 

 demand was slight, although we have a large number of regular customers 

 for our own distillate, which is much preferred by them on account of 

 the purity of its odour and its aroma. 



Japanese valerian oil is offering cheaply in fairly large quantities, but 

 it is generally difficult to find a market for it. 



Vetiver Oil. We have experienced no lack of raw material of 

 excellent quality for the preparation of our own distillate and we have 

 therefore been able to replenish the gaps in our stocks which had been 

 caused by the animated business of the spring season. Reunion vetiver 

 oil has been exceedingly scarce. This article appears to have become 

 the subject of speculative enterprise, for the prices have been rushed up 

 to nearly double the old figure. It would seem at the same time that 

 there has been no decrease in the production, for the shipments from 

 St. Denis up to the end of July amounted to 443 kilos against 445 kilos 

 in the corresponding period of 1911. 



The Imperial Institute 2 ) in London reports on vetiver oils of different 

 origin. An oil distilled in the Fiji Islands was of a dark green colour 

 and showed the following constants: di 5 o 1,0298, sap. v. 35,3, sol. in 80 p. c. 



x ) Pharm. Zentralh. 49 (1908), 911. 

 2 ) Bull. Imp. Inst. 10 (1912), 31. 



