— 44 — 
cinnamic acid and ethyl alcohol, and which, therefore, consisted of 
ethyl cinnamate. This body, which represents almost one-fourth part 
of the oil, could only be separated with difficulty from a substance 
of nearly the same boiling point. The separation could finally be 
accomplished by treating the mixture with 80 per cent, alcohol, in 
which the bulk of the ester dissolved. The remaining portion was 
purified by boiling with potash, treatment with a solution of bromine 
in chloroform, and shaking with concentrated sulphuric acid. In this 
manner van Romburgh obtained an inactive, colour- and odourless 
liquid of the boiling point 267,5° (73^ mm) and the specific gravity 
0,766 at 26°, which on cooling solidified completely. By analysis 
and determination of molecular weight, the formula H32 was 
obtained. The only hydrocarbon of this composition known up to 
the present is pentadecane, described by Krafft, whose properties so 
closely agree with those of the body found, that the identity of the 
two cannot be doubted. More than half the liquid portion of 
Kaempferia oil consists of this paraffin. 
Lavender Oil. According to the most recent reports from the 
departments Alpes-Maritimes and Basses- Alpes, the stocks held 
at first hand are practically exhausted, and the prices are almost left 
at the mercy of the middlemen. As a matter of fact, 19 to 20 francs 
has been paid for fine qualities. 
In the departments Vaucluse, Herault, Drome and Gard, 
the stocks are also nil. For many years there has not been such 
lack of this eminently important article, and we are afraid that before 
the new harvest the position will come to a head in a manner never 
dreamt of. The whole world's requirements depend solely upon the 
production of the above-named departments, and these requirements, 
according to all indications, are incessantly increasing. Although no 
statistics on this subject are in existence, the enormous development of the 
toilet-soap industry, and the numerous specialities for which lavender oil 
is employed in large quantities, leave no doubt whatever on this point. 
Through the good offices of Mr. Jean Gras of Cannes we are 
in a position to present again illustrations of some portable stills for 
lavender oil (Fig. i, 2 and 3), all of which are from the district of 
Sederon (Basses- Alpes) which supplies good -quality oils, containing 
about 30 to 36 per cent, ester. These installations are situated at a 
height of some 3000 to 3300 feet above the sea-level; the highest 
point in the vicinity is the Mont Ventoux (6273 feet high). In 
these altitudes water is frequently scarce, so that for purposes of con- 
densation water from tanks, or even the almost hot water running 
out of the Florentine flasks must be used, a method of cooling which 
naturally must have an unfavourable effect on the quality on the oil. 
