— 93 — 



io cc. of a solution in 60 °/ alcohol of the sample under examin- 

 ation are first treated with 2 cc. zinc sulphate solution (1:10) and 

 afterwards with 0,5 cc. of a solution of sodium nitro-prusside (1 : 10). 

 After shaking, 4 cc. of 5 % sodium solution, free from carbonic acid, 

 are added, and one minute later 2 to 3 cc. of glacial acetic acid. 

 The currant -coloured precipitate formed is claimed to indicate the 

 presence of thujone even in dilutions up to 1 : 5000. It settles 

 in the course of a few minutes. If a garnet-red coloration should 

 ensue upon the addition of the acetic acid it can be removed by 

 shaking with ether. In the case of all other bodies which have been 

 investigated, citrai excepted, the precipitate is of a paler colour. Any 

 citral which may be present should therefore be removed in advance 

 by prolonged boiling with aniline phosphate. 



In connection with the above reference may be made to a work 

 by L. D up arc on liqueurs seized, designated as imitations of ab- 

 sinthe. This work, which has been published as a pamphlet 1 ), deals 

 with the manufacture of absinthe, the composition and especially the 

 toxic character of the essential oils used, and their emulsifying properly. 

 It also contains detailed references as to the definition of absinthe 

 and the various methods employed for its analysis. 



Ylang Ylang Oil. The sale of this oil, which is so important 

 an article in the perfume industry, has suffered severely during the 

 past half year from the general depression, although the suddenly 

 acquired popularity of Lily-of-the-valley scents opened up a new and 

 favourable prospect, especially for our recognised first-class quality 

 Even in spite of the excellent artificial Lily-of-the-valley scents which 

 are now available, the use of ylang ylang oil cannot be dispensed 

 with in the preparation of high-class perfumery of this kind.j 



In our last report we referred briefly to the exports of ylang ylang oil 

 from Reunion. Complete statistics are now available as to the shipments 

 of this oil from the island for the whole of the year 1908. These 

 show that in the period named 1126 kilos were exported, compared 

 with 523 kilos in 1907. The production has therefore more than 

 doubled. The samples of Reunion oil which we have had an opport- 

 unity of examining, although showing normal characteristics, cannot 

 compare in odour with first-class Manila quality. 



According to a report issued by the Bureau of Insular Affairs 2 ) 

 the sale of ylang ylang oil in the Philippines in the fiscal year 190S 

 reached the exceptionally high value of $ 181 638. 



*) L. D up arc, Rapport d'expertise sur les liqueurs saisies qualifiers d'imita- 

 tions de l'absinthe. Geneva, 1908. 



2 ) Nachrichten fur Handel und Industrie 1909, Nr. 4, p. 2. 



