— 104 — 



threatened to overtake this important perfume as a result of persistent 

 price-cutting has been averted, at any rate for some time to come. 



According to a report in the journal Der Seifenfabrikant 1 ), the fruit 

 of Myrospermum frutescens Jacq. (N. O. Papilionacece) , which has an 

 odour of coumarin and is used in Venezuela as a specific against 

 rheumatism, yields, when extracted with ether, 47% of a viscid brown 

 balsam, known as sereipo balsam. This balsam dries up rapidly, 

 acquiring a resin-like appearance. Boiled with water, it yields a cry- 

 stalline substance of the m. p. 207 to 208 , which was said to be cou- 

 maric acid. The saponified balsam boils at from 220 upwards, and 

 decomposes during the boiling. 



For the pharmacological behaviour of coumarin, see p. 115. 



Menthol. We refer to the statements under the heading of 

 Japanese peppermint oil on p. 78. 



Musk 9 Tonquin. As a result of the scarcity of stocks towards 

 the end of last season, the first arrivals of the new supply were 

 being awaited with great impatience. These arrivals were placed upon 

 the market as early as the month of November, and found buyers 

 at good prices, in spite of their faulty quality. An improvement in 

 the quality of the supplies occurred only in December, but "blue- 

 skins", the most suitable kind for "graining", were almost entirely 

 wanting. Every parcel which arrived at Shanghai, no matter what its 

 classification, found ready takers at firm prices. France continues to 

 occupy the first position as purchaser. The musk trade in Europe has 

 gradually become centred in Paris and the figures given in the table 

 below do not even approximately indicate the consumption in England 

 and Germany, as only the direct shipments are recorded in it. A large 

 part of the quantity given under the heading "Paris" ultimately finds 

 its way to the two neighbouring countries. 



Exports fromShanghai, from i st January to 3i st December 1908: 











To Germany 





Year 



To Paris 



To London 



To New York 



and 

 Austria 



Total 





Catties 



Catties 



Catties 



Catties 



Catties 



1908 



666 



37 



211 



9 



923 



1907 



829 



57 



337 



37 



1260 



1906 



670 



8 



414 



45 



1137 



1905 



378 



83 



387 



40 



888 



1904 



722 



76 



366 



52 



1216 



*) Der Seifenfabrikant 29 (1909), 61. 



