- 64 - 
the same pressure). By saponification of the ester a small quantity 
of crystallised menthol was produced in the pure state. Another 
method for the detection of menthol consisted of oximating the fraction 
containing menthol with an excess of hydroxylamine hydrochloride 
and oxide of zinc in alcoholic solution. Upon subsequent distillation, 
acctoxime of the melting point 59 to 60° passed over at 50° (20 mm 
pressure); Tetry assumes that this acetoxime, along with the oxime 
of methyl cyclohexanone, is formed by decomposition from the hydroxyl- 
amide of normal pulegone oxime. The fraction of the oximation- 
product boiling at 20 mm pressure at 100 to 120° contains the menthol, 
which could be obtained in crystalline form, in the pure state, by 
repeated distillation (boiling point 110° at 17 mm). The phenyl 
urethane produced from it melted correctly at iii to 112°. From 
the portions of pennyroyal oil boiling at 90 to 110° (20 mm) men- 
thone was isolated by von Baeyer and Henrich's^) method, and 
identified by analysis of its semicarbazone melting at 184'^. 
Peppermint Oil, American. In order to obtain a perfectly 
clear view of the position of this important article, our New York 
branch has made enquiries in the peppermint districts, of which the 
following is the result. 
The question, whether a full normal harvest may be expected, has 
been unanimously answered in the negative by 17 of the most im- 
portant producers of Michigan. The estimates vary from Y4 Y2 
an average harvest. This is said to be due to the excessive rainfall 
which has occurred there as well as in Europe, and which has absol- 
utely flooded the fields, and caused an abnormal growth of weeds, 
such as has not been observed for years. The proportion of weeds is 
estimated at from 10 to 25 per cent. Only a few districts make an 
exception to this rule. 
With regard to the question as to how much lower this year's 
yield of oil will be than that of last year, the statements fluctuate 
between 20 and 75 per cent. One producer even says that the yield 
will be nil, and that his still will not be put in operation. The average 
of ten producers puts the deficiency at 40 per cent. The quality of 
the oil may possibly here and there leave something to be desired, 
owing to the enormous quantities of weed, although the high price of 
the oil renders it possible to allow a certain amount for weeding 
the fields, for which chiefly children are employed. 
The distilling season commenced in some districts as early as the 
beginning of August,' in others, according to the situation, a few 
weeks later. 
^) Berliner Berichte 28 (1895), 652. 
