~ we we know as constituents. of oil of rue. But whilst the alcohols from coconut oil 
are dextro-rotatory, those got from the oil of rue. are lzvo-rotatory. Palm kernel oil 
4 treated i in the same way yields an essential oil with up to 90 per cent. methylnonylketone’). 
; <The family of the Liliacee is noteworthy on account of a few onion species, as garlic, 
4 Allium sativum, L., and the common onion, Allium Cepa, L., whose essential oil contains 
j sulphur compounds and emits an unpleasant smell. The chief constituent of these 
' plants is not allyl sulphide (C3H;)2S, as was for long enough assumed, but a mixture 
Ry of more complex sulphur compounds. In the same family we also find pleasant smelling 
plants. as the hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis, L., and the lily of the valley, Convallaria 
; majalis, L., whose odoriferous principles have not yet been thoroughly investigated. 
4 
= Yet it is denon that the hyacinth contains benzyl benzoate, free benzyl alcohol and 
B also esters of cinnamic alcohol. These perfumes have been very successfully imitated 
- in various ways; thus phenyl acetaldehyde CsH;CH2CHO has a strong smell of hyacinths 
‘ and is consequently greatly used in perfumery. The smell of the lily of the valley 
‘comes in great part from the aliphatic sesquiterpene alcohol farnesol, CisHeO, contained 
_ also in cassie blossoms (Acacia Farnesianu, Willd.), in the blossoms of the common 
z acacia (Robinia Pseudacacia, L.), in lime flowers (Tilia europaea, L.), elder flowers 
| _ (Spanish lily) (Syringa vulgaris, L.) and in _mignonette (Reseda odorata, L.). 
& of the Iridacee, we find that the rhizome has a decided smell of violets especially after drying 
: “fluid cyclic ketone irone C3H13,0- In isolating and examining this body, the isomeric 
rt Boston ionone was successfully synthesised; this ketone has already been mentioned. 
3 A very fine perfume substance used in the preparation of favourite perfumes is 
a contained in the blossoms of Cananga odorata, Hooker f. et Thomson, an anonacea 
E disseminated in East Asia.’ In Manila the tree is known by the name Mlang: ylang”’. 
In most of the provinces of the Philippines on the contrary, it is called ‘ ‘alangilang”’. 
_ The word describes the loosely hanging blossoms and twigs fluttering in the wind. 
is known that Llinalool and geraniol as esters of benzoic acid, further methyl benzoate 
and salicylate, benzyl acetate and benzoate and free benzyl alcohol are present in the 
3 oil. In addition, the methyl ether of p-cresol, formic acid, safrole and the terpenes 
_ d-«-pinene, cadinene and a little methyl anthranilate have ben found therein. 
The family of the Myristicaceew yield the universally known spices nutmeg and mace. 
More than 20 substances have been identified in the oils therein contained. Myristicin, 
_ of so-called nutmeg poisoning. The base cotarnine or stypticine C,.Hi;0.N is obtained 
4 from myristicin by a series of reactions; it is an oxidation megs: of the opium alkaloid 
_ narcotine C.2H2;02N. 
Amongst the Lauracee we find a seve of Fstanle whose dpodtiets are of not only 
great interest for the chemist, but also— possess considerable commercial importance. 
Besides camphor, used in large quantities in the preparation of celluloid, smokeless 
powder and for medicinal purposes, camphor oil should be mentioned — the by-product of 
2) Cf. Report 1918, 38. 
os fete 
o> Ss * - - 
ade | ae 
Se og, 
ae 
Ste 
tol CHCH(OH)CsHss and ES cocner. were Pend in this oil; compounds | 
_ Amongst iris species, as Iris. germanica, L., I. pallida, Lamb., and I. florentina, L., family 
This odour originates from quite a small quantity of an essential oil (0.1 to 0.2 per cent.), 
“which is solid at ordinary temperature, and contains up to 85 per cent. of the quite odour-_ 
= tess myristic acid. The constituent which occasions the characteristic violet odour is the 
_ The composition of the oil is very complex, and is not yet thoroughly known. Yet it 
_ Cuii2Os;, the constituent of highest boiling point is 3-methoxy-4, 5-methylenedioxy-1 1-allyl 
benzene and causes the narcotic effect of nutmeg, which has been observed in cases 
