30 Report of Schimmel % Co. 1921. 



W. F. Baughmann, G. S. Jamieson and D. H. Brauns 1 ) have examined an otaba 

 butter likewise coming from Columbia. The fat contained up to 9.3 per cent, of a pale- 

 yellow essential oil (d 20 o 0.89067; « D — 32°; n D20 o 1.4180). The distillation of 90 g. of 

 this oil yielded the following fractions: — (1) 126 to 129° (13 mm.), 16.1 g.; (2) 134 to 

 137° (15 mm., the pressure was the same for the other fractions) 31.7 g.; (3) 138 to 142°, 

 10.6 g.; (4) 142 to 147°, 8.4 g.; (5) 147 to 175°, 3.0 g.; (6) 176 to 190°, 2 g., the residue 

 (18.0 g.) turned crystalline on standing. The molecular weight of the second fraction 

 was 204, in agreement with that of a sesquiterpene Ci 5 H 24 . All the fractions gave with 

 glacial acetic acid and concentrated sulphuric acid the cadinene colour reaction. The 

 authors hence assume that the essential otaba oil consists largely of sesquiterpenes. 



The investigations indicate that the two otaba oils differed materially from one 

 another. So far this difference has not been explained. 



The value of the fat of the otaba fruit (American nutmeg or macebutter) as a 

 remedy against skin diseases is mainly due to its contents of essential oil which is 

 credited with germicide properties. 



Niaouli Oil. — We have succeded in securing a small consignment of this oil which 

 is much sought for in the manufacture of various pharmaceutical products, and we 

 have reason to believe that the war-time dearth of this material has now completely 

 been overcome. 



Orange Blossom Oil. — Owing to the unusually-high prices the demand for bigarade 

 oil was very slight, and the market showed at the beginning of September a decidedly 

 weak tone, so that prices began to crumble. There happened about December 20 a 

 fall of temperature, such as the south of France had not experienced for many a year. 

 The thermometer went down to — 9 degrees C, and a large portion of the shoots 

 of orange trees were completely ruined. So far as can be seen at the present time 

 the crop of orange blossoms will this year, at the very best, amount to a quarter of 

 the normal yield. The orange trees offer a sad spectacle, because the damage done 

 by the cold has been increased by the subsequent prolonged drought. Prices are 

 talked of which are really fanciful, 30 fr. per kilo! The syndicate (Societe' cooperative 

 des producteursj has started a new factory in Vallauris - to work up the total flower 

 harvest, so that none, or only few flowers, would be left to the manufacturers at Grasse. 

 The injury to the trees is so great that it will be felt at the next two harvests. Strongly- 

 blended neroli oil of the last harvest has been paid 10000 fr. per kg., it is reported, in 

 view of the conditions at Grasse. 



The statistics, which "La voix du peuple", Grasse, of January 8, 1921, publishes, 

 will indicate the manner in which the prices have risen within the last few years. 

 The kilogramme, of orange blossom fetched, in the years 1904 to 1917, 0.49 to 1.30 fr.; 

 in 1918 the price was 1.70 fr., in 1919 2.25 fr., and in 1920 11.20 fr. per kg. 



In Morocco the preparation of orange-blossom water has developed into a house 

 industry. 1 kg. of orange blossom cost 1.4 to 1.75 fr. In the year 1915, 1187 kg. of 

 orange-blossom water were exported to France, England and Spain 2 ). 



It is rather astonishing that Morocco does not push the orange-blossom distillation 

 more than is done at present. 



As regards Spanish orange-blossom oils cf. page 77 of this Report. 



l ) Journ. Amer. chem. Soc. 43 (1921), 200. — 2 ) Rev. des produits chim. 22 (1919), 647. 



