76 
THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
Otto of Roses. — Absolutely pure otto of rose according to an 
article in American Gardening is said to be unobtainable, that inthe 
markets now-a-days being usually adulterated with geranium oil 
or of guaicum wood. The value placed upon the otto may be un- 
derstood when it is known that an acre of ground, producing 2- 
500 pounds of flowers, yields at best not more than one pound of 
oil. 
A Western Tueer-Bearixg Labiate. — The note in the ]\Iarch 
number in reference to species of the mint family that bear tubers 
has brought forth additional facts. The editor of The California 
Floriculturist sends us specimens of Scutellaria tuberosa, a tiny 
tuberous-rooted labiate from Los Angeles County, California. It 
would be interesting to know whether this is the only American 
mint with this habit. 
Attar of Ylaxg-Ylaxg. — According to the Manilla Ameri- 
can^ the Philippine Islands produce a perfume that rivals the fam- 
ous attar of roses. This is the attar of ylang-ylang (Cananga 
odorata) or ilang-ilang as it is sometimes spelled. It is derived 
from a tree belonging to the custard apple family and the oil is ob- ' 
tained by simple distillation of the petals of the flowers, about 75 
pounds of flowers being necessary for one potmd of oil. ^lany 
more rose leaves are required for one pound of attar of rose. 
Ylang-Ylang is used as the base for many perfumics, and retails 
for about fifty dollars a pound. 
Two Plant-Protection Societies. — The originators of ''the 
\A'ild Flower Preservation Society of America" must have great 
fears for the safety of our native plants to induce them to put a 
second society for their protection into the field. As competition 
is the life of trade it is possible that two societies will protect the 
plants better than one. We wish both all success and offer such 
assistance as we can give. The board of managers of the society 
with the long name, is made up of well-known botanists. ^Ir. F. 
V. Co ville is President and :Mr. C. L. Pollard of AVashington, D. 
C, is Secretar}'. The Plant World will be the ''oflicial organ." 
