339 



being used. The excellent fragrance of these oils renders them 

 very suitable in blending- in compound bouquet perfumes and they 

 are said to have a specially excellent effect in the composition of 

 "Mignonette extract" (Sawer Odorographia II, p. 152). 



The Camphor oil of the large weed Bliunea balsamifera, was 

 described in Bulletin 1st series No. 3, having been distilled experi- 

 mentally in Singapore. It is manufactured in China in Hainan and 

 Canton, and also in Burmah and is used for incense, medicine and 

 scenting Indian Ink. The plant a tall half shrubby composite is 

 often very abundant in Waste places and grows to a height of over 

 six feet. The leaves have a strong smell of camphor. 



Blumca lacera, Dec. is another weed of the same group, but 

 much smaller. It has also a strong Camphor smell, but little seems 

 to be known as to the value of the 'oil. 



An oil has been distilled at Buitenzorg from the common white- 

 weed [Ageratuiu conyzoides), unfortunately no use has been found 

 for the product of this troublesome weed. 



Alyxia stellata, ( ) — Is a climbing plant with white sweet 



scented flowers, deep green shining leaves and black drupes. It is 

 called Pulasari by the Malays and the bark which has a strong 

 scent of Coumarin, is used in native medicine and as a cosmetic. 

 It is quite common about the sea coasts. 



Oil of Cloves is obtained by distilling the flower buds of Eugenia 

 caryophyllata , Thumb, the clove of commerce. Only the cloves com- 

 ing from Zanzibar are used, not apparently as being richer in oil 

 than those of Penang or the Mascaren Islands, but because those 

 from these countries have a better appearance and are more valued 

 as spice. The oil is used in perfumery and medicine and other 

 purposes. The stems of the clove flowers also produce an oil which 

 is also distilled but is less highly valued. 



Cajeput-oil from the leaves of the Gelam tree Melaleuca leuca- 

 dendron, and its variety minor ; it is chiefly made in Ceram and 

 Bum. It 'appears to have been manufactured by the Malays long 

 before the Europeans occupied the Eastern Archipelago. The tree 

 is very abundant in some parts of Malacca and occurs in Singapore 

 and elsewhere, but it is perhaps doubtful as to whether it is a native 

 of the Peninsula or not. It is suggested that it was introduced 

 into the Malay Peninsula by the Dutch, and I have no record of 

 its occurring anywhere but where the Dutch established themselves 

 except in Singapore, where naturally its occurrence as a native 

 plant may be doubted. It however grows very readily and is a 

 useful tree as well as an ornamental one. It attains a height of 

 about 40 feet here, the stem covered with a papery bark of con- 

 siderable thickness in old trees. This bark is used for caulkino- 

 boafs, and Arc lighting, and an attempt has been made to utilise it 

 for making paper in Australia but this it appears was not very 

 successful. The wood is durable and is used also for firewood. 

 The leaves have a strong resinous scent from the oil glands. The 

 distillation of the oil is effected by very simple native stills in the 

 Moluccas and the product shipped in bottles or drums. The greater 

 part of the oil is consumed in India and other parts of the east, 



