— i57 — 



boiling over between 185 and 195 which thereby, in contradistinction 

 to pure spike oil, acquire a particularly pungent camphor-like odour. 

 The detection of a sophistication of this kind leads Umney to denounce 

 in strong terms the praciice which has recently been adopted by cer- 

 tain manufacturers of placing upon the market products which by their 

 very nature can only be used as adulterants. Among such bodies, 

 Umney mentions glycerin triacetate and triethyl citrate. 



While we cordially range ourselves at Umney's side in his protest 

 against such fraudulent practices, we cannot class this so-called terpi- 

 nolene among the articles which he denounces, because it is justified in 

 its existence as a bye-product in the manufacture of terpineol, and is 

 much in request as a cheap scent for soaps. Its occasional use as an 

 adulterant doubtless does not lie in the intention of the manufacturer. 



The case is different, however, as regards the two other pre- 

 parations named, which constitute very dangerous adulterants. But 

 even here it does not do, perhaps, to condemn the preparation and 

 sale of such preparations straightaway, seeing that some of them may 

 also -serve other purposes, even in the perfumery industry. But all 

 those whose interest lies in maintaining honest trading in essential oils 

 should decidedly oppose the altogether scandalous practice of publicly 

 offering such esteis for purposes of adulteration. We have by chance 

 come into the possession of a circular letter from an Amsterdam firm 

 which falls under this category. It is addressed to distillers of lavender 

 oil and recommends a product of this kind (of which a small sample 

 is added), for "raising the ester-content of the oils". Such a direct 

 attempt at instigating the distillers to commit fraud ought properly to 

 be made the subject of a prosecution. 



On the separation of allyl and propenyl compounds, see p. 204. 



On the testing of the camphor-content of spirits of camphor, see p. 33. 



On the detection of indol and skatol, see p. 213. 



On the determination of petroleum in oil of turpentine, see p. 125. 



On the detection of small quantities of oil of savin, see p. in. 



Physical Notes. 



Von Rechenberg 1 ) has recently called attention to a source of error 

 in determinations of boiling points under reduced pressure which had 

 thus far escaped attention. 



In determining boiling points or in distilling operations under dimin- 

 ished pressure the manometer is usually inserted between the receiver 

 and the pump, at some considerable distance from the distilling-vessel. 



1 ) Journ. f. prakt. Chem. II. 79 (1909), 475. (Communicated from the Laboratory 

 of Schimmel & Co., Miltitz nr. Leipzig.) 



