- 67 - 
in the quantities newly planted out, will only influence the harvest-results in 
two to three years' time, as of course orris-root may be gathered after two years, 
and must be gathered in three years. For this reason, the quantities planted 
out in 1 90 1 and 1902 come under consideration for the next crop, and these 
were on a sufficient scale not to give rise to any scarcity. It should be noted, 
in this connection, that of the former, i. e. the roots planted out in 1901, only 
a small quantity was gathered during last autumn. Finally, it will have to be 
taken into consideration that buyers abroad (as is apparent from the shipments 
made) have covered themselves freely, and can therefore afford to consider fresh 
purchases with equanimity. At the same time, the opinions of competent persons 
all agree that a serious drop in the prices is not to be expected in future, also 
in view of the fact that purchasers for further large parcels came on the market 
already when the price went slightly back. The scheme for the production of 
orris oil proposed by Mr. Pegna has not been developed further after the 
death of that gentleman. 
It follows from the foregoing report, the clearness of which leaves 
nothing to be desired, that orris oil in the near future can be produced 
under the same favourable conditions as hitherto. 
Both the concrete and the liquid oil are manufactured by us as 
specialities on a large scale, in rooms which, in conformity with the 
delicate character of the oil, are separated from the rest of the factory. 
The qualities enjoy the highest reputation. The liquid, tenfold con- 
centrated orris oil, which we were the first to introduce into commerce, 
is universally recognised as one of the most beautiful products of this 
branch. It is a source of satisfaction to us that we were the originators 
of this article. 
Parsley Oil. When producing apiol from French oil of parsley 
seed, we came across an oil which contained small quantities apiol 
only in the last runnings, whilst the principal fractions could not be 
made to solidify. Professor Thoms has at our request examined this 
oil more in detail, and reports on it as follows^): 
The oil (d = 1,017; [«]d20° — — 5'7^) mixed with ether, 
and was freed from acids, phenols and aldehydes, or ketones, by shaking 
with 5 ^/q solution of sodium carbonate, 2 ^/^ potash liquor, and sodium 
bisulphite solution. As acid, palmitic acid (0,0804 Vo) ^ou\d be identi- 
fied; the phenols (0,0516 ^/q) and the residue of the bisulphite solution 
could not be separated as the quantity was too small. The oil treated 
in this manner was fractionated. 
In the individual fractions the following bodies were detected: 
pinene as nitrosochloride, and myristicin as dibrom-myristicindibromide 
(melting point 130°). The myristicin found here proved to be identic 
with the myristicin obtained from oil of nutmeg 2). It also yielded 
isomyristicin. From the last fractions of the oil of parsley seed, apiol 
^) Berhner Berichte 36 (1903), 3451. 
^) The present Report, p. 65. 
5* 
