— 94 — 



cutting up the green leaves before distilling them. This, however, was 

 not due to any enzyme action, because de Jong obtained the same 

 results with leaves which had been previously steeped in boiling water. 



De Jong intends to continue his studies into the processes de- 

 scribed above. 



De Jong has sent us samples of the oils obtained in the course 

 of his experiments, and the examination of these was described by 

 us some months ago 1 ). 



In an inaugural dissertation, Fritz Mayer 2 ) deals with the systematic- 

 anatomical investigation of the Pogostemonece Reichenb. He refers in 

 particular to the internal glands of which the structure agrees with 

 that of the external bladder-like glands of the skin. The author found 

 these glands to exist in all species of Pogostemon and Dysophylla. 

 It appears that the secretion of both the external and internal glands 

 (which occur in the leaves, branches and roots, but not in the organs 

 of reproduction, such as flowers, fruit, and seed) is identical. After 

 discussing in detail the stages of development of the internal glands 

 and the structure of the leaves, Mayer communicates the results -ob- 

 tained by him in the course of the examination of patchouli (the 

 drug). Judging by the exomorphous conditions of the leaves, and 

 considering their anatomical characteristics, it is quite possible that all 

 the drugs examined were derived from the same species of Pogostemon 3 ). 

 The morphological conditions and the structure of the leaves of the 

 drugs are described at length. As adulterants of patchouli Mayer 

 mentions Urena lobata L. and Ocimum Basilicum L. var. pilosum Benth. 

 the anatomical and morphological conditions of which he describes 

 in detail. 



Pennyroyal Oil. It appears that the scarcity of this oil, which 

 has so long prevailed, is now at an end , sufficient quantities being 

 offered both from Spain and Algeria at advantageous prices. In the 

 course of the next few months the quotations may recede further, the 

 demand being not at all brisk. 



Peppermint Oil, American. We are in receipt of a lengthy 

 report on the American peppermint districts from our New York branch, 

 which this season also has obtained its data by despatching a special 

 representative to Wayne County, Michigan and Indiana. 



x ) Report November 1908, 96. 



2 ) From a copy kindly sent to us of the dissertation: Systematisch-anatomische 

 Untersuchung der Pogostemoneae Reichenb., unter besonderer Beriicksichtigung der 

 inneren Drusen von Pogostemon und Dysophylla sowie der Patschuli-Droge. Er- 

 langen 1909. 



3 ) For Pogostemon see Report April 1908, 80; November 1908, 95 



