The Beni Saale which | are Mies aecciibed and iittistfated show that we 
ave undoubtedly to deal with a lauracea, most likely a species of Cinnamomum, as 
‘the mother-plant. The bark consisted of pieces about 4 inches long, 1'/2 to 34/4 inches 
wide and from 2 to 4 (average about 31/2) inches thick, but slightly curved. On the 
eeisidc: the bark was covered in part by a silver-grey or brownish-grey cork-like 
3 cracked coating. This coating is, however, in most cases severed along with parts 
of the primary cortex, the colour of the outside appearing reddish-brown, the inner side 
‘showing cinnamon coloration. The fracture of the bark shews short fibre, the inner 
part of the secondary cortex being scaly in parts. The odour distinctly reminds of 
eugenol as well as safrole with a tang resembling nutmeg. The safrole odour is most 
pronounced when the bark is fractured or powdered. The taste is strongly acrid 
like eugenol. 
= The microscopical examination of Sone of the bark of Massoia aromatica, Becc. 
- from the collection of the Royal Botanical Museum in Dahlem revealed this material 
(0 be mixed. Two samples originating from Java, which closely corresponded with 
the description of Massoia aromatica, possessed an anatomical structure differing very 
considerably from the massoi bark examined by the authors. A third sample proved 
to be absolutely identical with the bark under examination. This sample “bore the 
description of Massoia aromatica, as well as a fourth one, which, however, was com- 
"pletely different from the two other samples, though it also came from a lauracea, . 
possibly a Cinnamomum species. According to the indications on the label the two 
to market as “Massoi’ different kinds of bark. ) 
_. Massoia aromatica, Becc. differs from the bark examined by Griebel and Ereymam 
inter alias in the structure of the secondary cortex which shows numerous, large and 
isolated stone-cell groups, even in the inner parts. The center of these stone-cells is 
_ usually filled by one or two large oxalate crystals. 
a Another. characteristic sign is found in the slight but evenly-thickened bast fibres, 
= e walls of which are permeated by fairly numerous diagonai pore-fissures. On the 
cross-section- the fibres appear almost round and they are conspicuous by their great 
lumen. Massoia aromatica cannot, therefore, be looked upon as mother-plant _ the 
Sarug examined by the authors. : 
In order to determine the properties of the oil contained in the bark, 300 gr. 
powdered bark were distilled in a current of steam, when 7.66 and 8.17 per cent. of 
oil were obtained. This oil was a pale yellow liquid smelling principally of eugenol. 
‘dyso 1.038; Np 1.5405. Upon the addition of ferric chloride in alcoholic solution, a 
; bluish green coloration took place. When tested for eugenol 81.1 per cent. of phenols 
were found. The eugenol, when isolated, boiled at 244°. The non-phenols (safrole and 
_terpenes) were shaken with permanganate solution when piperonal was formed amongst 
other substances. 
At the time, we had obtained from New Guinea massoi bark 6 to 8 per cent. of 
an oil shewing a density of 1.04 to 1.065 and containing 70 to 75 per cent. of eugenol 
and safrole. As will be seen the oil obtained by Griebel and Freymuth shews great 
similarity with our distillate which leads to the conclusion that the distillation material 
was identical. 
— = 
_ 4) Gildemeister and Hoffmann, The Volatile Oils, 2"4- ed., vol. Il, p. 489. 
last-named samples originated from New Guinea, which shows that the natives bring 
