— 32 — 



mile is a specifically British plant and, in the wild state, is known 

 as Scottish chamomile. This is, however, incorrect, as the Roman 

 chamomile occurs wild in France, also in Southern Europe, particularly 

 in Italy (hence the name of Roman chamomile), and in Spain. 



We may add furthermore to the above statements that we also have 

 frequently examined Roman chamomile oils of the best quality with a 

 rotation below -[- i°; these, however, were very rarely inactive, but this 

 point cannot always be determined because of the colour, which is often 

 very dark. The acid numbers found by us lay between 1,5 and 3,5, 

 the saponification numbers between 250 and 300. From 6 to 10 vols, 

 of 70 per cent, alcohol were required to bring about solution, clou- 

 diness occasionally ensueing; all the oils gave clear solutions with 1 to 2 

 vols, of 80 pei cent, alcohol. 



Cinnamon Oil, Ceylon. We continue, as before, to devote 

 special interest to the distillation of this important article, and we are 

 able to state with satisfaction that owing to the exquisite quality of 

 our product our sale has experienced a considerable increase. The 

 prices of pure cinnamon oil remain unchanged, and the market for 

 the raw material also has shown but slight fluctuations. The exports 

 of Ceylon cinnamon chips were as follows : — 

 in 1908 2785824 lbs. 

 „ 1907 2835936 „ 

 „ 1906 2 53 1 614 „ 

 „ 1905 2325514 „ 

 Of this total, Hamburg imported: — 



in 1908 about 554400 lbs. 



„ 1907 „ 473 2 oo » 



„ 1906 „ 386400 „ 



Our own consumption in the past year reached about 115 000 kilos, 



that is to say, approximately about one-half of the total quantity 



imported via Hamburg. 



It is remarkable that in 1908, 200878 ounces of cinnamon oil 

 distilled in Ceylon were exported, a figure reached never before, of 

 which over one-half went to England. Compared with 1907, these 

 figures indicate an increase in the exports of over 100 °/ , and the 

 fact that, this notwithstanding, our distillate found a ready sale at full 

 prices, should afford sufficient proof of its superiority. 



In considering the export figures of Ceylon oil given above, it 

 should be remembered that within the past year large quantities of 

 cinnamon leaf oil were shipped from Ceylon, and that these are 

 included in the above statistics. The manufacture of the last-named 

 article has been carried on with an intensity that can only be 

 characterised as senseless, no regard having been paid to the very 

 limited consumption. 



