and lastly the separation takes place of the d - benzaldehyde cyano- 

 hydrin from the optically active complex. The mandelic acid which 

 was produced by the saponification of the nitrile was shown by its 

 constants (m. p. 133 to 134 ; Md — l 53i7& ) to be polarimetrically 

 pure. Optically active nitriles could also be obtained from anisic 

 aldehyde and cinnamic aldehyde. Enzymes which, in addition to a 

 catalytic action (such as was also found to exist in the case under 

 review), possess a "directing" action, such as had not been observed 

 hitherto, are called by Rosenthaler "asymmetrases". The author is 

 of opinion that such cases as that described by him afford data for 

 an understanding of the process of asymmetric syntheses in plant-cells. 



With regard to a method for the colorimetric determination of 

 benzaldehyde in extracts of bitter almonds, see Analytical Notes. 



Aloe wood Oils. Moszkowski 1 ) has published a few short 

 notes on the subject of the Javanese scented wood Kaju garu (Kaju 

 gaharu = eagle wood) which we described in our last Report 2 ). He 

 has found in Sumatra the tree which yields the "eagle wood", and 

 which is locally known as Karas, and describes it as a fine tree, often 

 reaching a height of 40 meters, with a smooth, grey bark and a splendid 

 umbrageous crown. In general, his statements with regard to the 

 wood and the method by which it is obtained agree with those of 

 Boorsma 3 ). On the other hand, Gilg, who examined a branch 

 without blossoms or fruit gathered by Moszkowski, classifies the plant 

 botanically as a new species of aquilaria (Aquilaria Moszkowskii) which is 

 stated to be most nearly allied to Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. and 

 Aquilaria gran diflora (Lour.) Gilg, whereas according to Boorsma the 

 Kaju garu of Java is derived from Gony stylus Miquelianus T. et B. 



Andropogon Oils. As a result of a communication in the last 

 Buitenzorg Annual Report 4 ), we are able to amplify a note in our 

 last Report on the subject of the oil of an unknown variety of Andro- 

 pogon which had been examined at the Buitenzorg Botanical Institute 5 ), 

 by stating that the oil in question contained geraniol to the extent 

 of i8,7°/ esterified, and 30,1% free, geraniol. 



Furthermore, an oil of Andropogon intermedius has been examined 

 in the said Institute 6 ). This oil had a specific gravity of 0,889 (2 6°) 

 and an optical rotation «d — 2i°52 / . 



*) Notizblatt des kgl. botan. Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem, No. 43 

 (Vol. V.), 8 and 83. 



2 ) Report November 1908, 19. 



3 ) Ibidem. 



4 ) Report November 1908, 72. 



5 ) Jaarboek van het Departement van Landbouw in Nederlandsch - Indie 1907, 

 67. Batavia 1908. 



6 ) Ibidem. 



