Oils and Fats. 



500 



[1)ECBMBBB, 1910. 



Results of Examination. 



Specific gravity at 15°/15 Q =0-912. 



Optical rotation in 100 mm. tube. The 

 colour of the oil was too dark for this 

 observation to be made. 



" Total alcohols" = 44*0 per cent. 



Solubility in alcohol : gives a clear 

 solution with its own volume of 80 per 

 cent, alcohol, but becomes opalescent 

 and slightly turbid with 10 volumes. 



Remarks. — The grass yielding this oil 

 is described as C. polyneuros, Stapf, 

 synonym Andropogon Schamanthus, L. 

 var. versicolor, Hackel, Hook. See Re- 

 marks on page 17. The yield of oil in 

 this distillation was 0-20 per cent. 



No. 16a, 



Quantity : 435 cc ; distilled November, 

 1906. 



Description : Clear yellow oil, with an 

 odour similar in character to that of 

 No. 16, but not so intense. A slight 

 deposit was present, 



Results of Examination, 

 Specific gravity at 15715°=0-951. 

 Optical rotation in 100 mm. tube at 20° 

 C= + 50° 39'. 



" Total alcohols" = 44 -0 per cent. 



Solubility in alcohol : gives a clear 

 solution with its own volume of 80 per 

 cent, alcohol, but becomes slightly 

 opalescent with 10 volumes. 



Remarks. — See Remarks below. The 

 yield of oil in this distillation was 0'34 

 per cent. 



No. 16b. 



Quantity : 469 cc. ; distilled December 

 10, 1907. 



Description : Clear yellow oil, similar 

 in odour to No, 16a, and slightly darker 

 in colour. No deposit was present in 

 this case. 



Results of Examination. 

 Specific gravity at 15715° C = 0*936. 



Optical rotation in 100 mm. tube at 21* 



C= +55' 15'. 



"Total alcohols " = 38'7 per cent. 



Solubility in alcohol : gives a clear 

 solution with its own volume of 80 per 

 cent, alcohol, but becomes opalescent 

 and slightly turbid with 10 volumes. 



Remarks. — See Remarks below. 

 No. 16* 



Quantity : 255 cc. ; distilled July 29, 1908. 



Description : Clear yellow oil similar 

 in colour and odour to No. 16a. A slight 

 deposit was present, audsome water had 

 separated at the bottom of the bottle 

 containing the oil. 



. Results of Examination. 

 Specific gravity at 15 p /15° C= 0'943 

 Optical rotation in 100 mm. tube at 21° 



C= +30° 53'. 



" Total alcohols " = 51 "8 per cent. 



Solubility in alcohol : gives a clear 

 solution with its own volume of 80 per 

 cent, alcohol, but becomes quite turbid 

 with 10 volumes. 



Remarks. — See Remarks below. The 

 yield of oil in this distillation was 0"32 

 per cent. 



Remarks on the Cymbopogon 

 Polyneuros Oils. 



The oil of Cymbopogon Polyneuros, 

 as represented by the foregoing sam- 

 ples Nos. 16, 16a, 16b, and 16*, is quite 

 unli&e either citronella oil or lemon- 

 grass oil, and would not be saleable as 

 such. It will require more detailed in- 

 vestigation before conclusions can be 

 established regarding its value or com- 

 mercial utility. * 



If about 2 lb, of this oil can be prepar- 

 ed and supplied to the Imperial Insti- 

 tute, a detailed investigation of its 

 constituents will be made. Such an 

 investigation would be of considerable 

 scientific interest, as nothing is yet 

 known legarding the composition of 

 this oil. 



