— 15 — 
50 per cent solution of sulphuric acid; this hydrocarbon the author 
has named „calamene". When treated with bromine it yields a com- 
pound C^5 Br, and upon oxidation with potassium permanganate, 
an acid of the melting point 196^ (in addition to acetic and oxalic 
acids). The compound CJ5H24O, which was thought to represent a 
uniform body, has subsequently been found to be a hydrocarbon 
containing asarone. With regard to the aromatic body to which 
calamus oil owes its specific odour, Beckstroem believes that, as it also 
occurs on oxidation of asarone into asarylic aldehyde, it represents 
an intermediate product of this oxidation-process. 
Camphor Oil. The production of both kinds, the light and the 
heavy oil, has now again been freely carried on for several months. 
In consequence of a change in the process of manufacture, the 
properties of both oils now differ somewhat from those of the previous 
products. The specific gravities are now lower, that of the so-called 
light camphor oil being about 0,900, and that of the heavy oil 
about 0,930. The former has a yellow, and the latter a green colour. 
In addition to these two, we now also manufacture a third product, 
viscid and with a beautiful blue colour, which has proved very useful 
in painting on china, especially on smooth surfaces, and which, according 
to experts, is capable of replacing oil of cloves. 
This oil, with a boiling temperature of about 280 to 300° C, 
has at 15° a specific gravity of about 0,95 to 0,96; it deflects the 
plane of polarised light to the right (in one case we found -[-32° 55'), 
and appears to consist chiefly of a body of an alcoholic character,, 
for after treatment with acetic acid anhydride, a fairly large saponi- 
fication number is obtained. We have found by experiment that, in 
spite of its deep-blue colour, it does not stain soap; for this reason 
it can be employed as a fixing and binding agent for the more 
common soap-perfumes. Our production amounts to several thousand 
kilos per annum. 
With regard to the camphor monopoly, we have received the 
following information from Kobe: — 
"It is announced officially, that the Chinese Government, at the in- 
stigation and request of the Japanese authorities, has decided to open a 
camphor office in Foochow, and to place the manufacture and sale of camphor 
under Japanese control, but not in such manner that rights of monopoly in 
the camphor business are conceded to the Japanese Government. It is, however, 
understood, that, as a set-off for its contribution towards the expenses of the 
monopoly, a portion of the profit on the production will be allowed to the 
Japanese Government. It is said that a definite arrangement on these lines 
has not as yet been concluded. 
The Japanese have, however, in any case succeeded in so far, that, when 
the Chmese competition ceases, they retain the power of controlling the camphor 
trade, and this may lead, if not to a rise in prices, at least to maintaining 
the values at their present level." 
