oo 
COMMERCIAL NOTES AND SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION. 77 
No. Received doso op _ Total menthol Menthone 
I. 21. August 0,8995 = OI 2 5) TAT. So 18,8 °/o 
I. 3. September  0,8983 = 24090" 48,4 °/o 16,8 Jo 
Hi 10. * 0,900 — 24° 14’ 51,7 °/o 17,98 °/o 
IV. 10. EA 0,904 — 24° 28’ 50,2 °/o 16,98 °/o 
V. 10. . 0,902 — 24° 30’ 50,2 Jo 17,7 Jo 
VI. 10. October 0,905 — 23° 18’ 53:57 9/0 14,0 /o 
WE 10; 0,901 = 26°12" 56,1 °/o 13,9 Jo 
Mi bt. : 0,902 — 25° 30’ 55,8 °/o 1G; foo 
IX. 20. ~ 0,903 — 23949’ . 56,4 %/o 15,2 °/o 
The rotation is normal, and the specific gravity differs from the normal at most 
to the extent that the parcels which came to hand first were a little lighter than usual, 
but the menthol-content of these first arrivals is comparatively low, falling even below 
the Pharmacopceia-limit of 50 p.c. On the other hand, the menthone-content in these 
cases considerably exceeds the normal value. In the later deliveries, those of October, 
the oils are again quite normal, except from a slightly increased menthone content. 
In all probability these peculiarities are due to the abnormal conditions which prevailed 
during harvesting, as already depicted in our last Report, which compelled the producers 
to distil the herb before it had reached full maturity. From the figures it may be in- 
ferred that in the earlier stages of growth considerable proportions of menthone are 
formed in the plants, and that this is partly comueiied into menthol during the later 
stages of development. 
Peppermint Oil, Chinese. Some time ago the Imperial Institute in London’) 
received a sample of peppermint oil from Hong Kong. As the oil was of a deep-red 
colour, it was purified by steam-distillation, after which it was found to possess the 
following constants: d2>0,918, a) — 44°40’, sol. in 2,5 vols. of 70 p.c. alcohol. It 
contained 50,69 p.c. of free and 13,55 p.c. of esterified menthol. 
The peppermint oil which is distilled in the neighbourhood of Hong Kong?) for 
purposes of export or for sale to the Chinese, is almost colourless; it has an agree- 
able odour of peppermint, and resembles the oil containing menthol?) which is exported 
on a large scale, chiefly from Japan, to Europe and the United States. In many respects 
the Chinese oil is said to be superior to the Japanese article. The oil as prepared 
by the Chinese realizes in the local markets prices varying from § 130.— to § 230.—, 
currency, per picul (133'/s Ibs.) = 0.47 to § 1.08 gold per lb. Peppermint crystals are 
are also exported in large quantities; the present value is about  2200.— local currency 
per picul, = § 7.75 gold per lb. 
Peppermint Oil, English. Our forecast of the probable course of the English 
market has proved to be correct. No changes of any importance have occurred, and 
in spite of the declining interest shown in Mitcham peppermint oil, and its supersession 
by rectified American oil, the leading brands were able to maintain their value. We 
hold sufficient stock to last us until the new crop; but we do not regard it as out of 
1) Bull. Imp. Inst, 11 (1913), 434. Comp. Report October 1910, 96; April 1918, 83. — 2%) Daily Cons. and 
Trade Rep., Washington 17 (1914), Nr. 56, p. 906. — #) The original report has “mentholised’’. Should this 
not be “dementholised’’ 2 
