462 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [January i, 1889 
tus oil received from Australia, but that recently Herr 
Gildemeister reported that by a more delicate reaction 
he had obtained that body from amygdalina oil (see 
before, Sept. 1, p. 164). Beferring to this subject, 
Messrs. Schimmel quote from a published statement 
by Mr. Staiger, the Brisbane chemist, a passage to the 
effect that in Australia it frequently happens that in 
the distillation of eucalyptus oil, the leaves of both 
species, E. Globulus and E. amygdalina, are placed in 
the still, from which is inferred the possibility of con- 
siderable variation in commercial oil of E, amygdalina. 
Consequently, the opiaion is expressed that the question 
as to the presence of eucalyptol will not have been defi- 
nitely settled until an examination has been made of 
a sample of pure oil specially distilled fron E. amygda- 
lina leaves, and this investigation the firm proposes to 
undertake. Messrs. Schimmel state that they them- 
selves have recognized the presence of eucalyptol in 
commercial amygdalina oil, but that the quantity is 
too small and the process too difficult to pay for its 
separation. The " so-called eucalyptol from E. amygda- 
lina, which by this time may be looked upon as practi- 
cally killed," obtained by fractional distillation over 
caustic potash, is said to consist principally of phel- 
landren, O10H16 (eucalypten), and| about 20 per cent, 
of eucalyptol, O10.H18O. such a preparation has 
a specific gravity of 0'890, is strongly laevogyre, and 
does not solidify in a freezing mixture. It can be 
easily indentified by mixing 1 c. c. of the oil with 2 
c. c. of glacial acetic acid, and adding to the mixture 
1 to 2 c. c. of a concentrated aqueous solution of 
sodium nitrite, when a gentle shaking causes almost 
instant solidification to a crystalline paste of phellandron 
nitrite. Neither pure eucalyptol nor oil of E. Globulus 
gives this reaction, both remaining unaltered, or at 
most becoming somewhat darker in colour. 
Larger consignments have now been received from 
Australia of the leaves of Eucalyptus maculata, var. 
citriodora, Backhousia citriodora and E. Staigeriana, 
which have been distilled. The oil obtained from the 
leaves of E. maculata, var. citriodora, is described 
as corresponding in its characters with the sample 
mentioned in the April report (see Pharm. Journ., vol. 
xviii., p. 908). The principal constituent of the oil is 
a ketone (? aldehyd), which gives with acid sulphites 
of the alkalies a difficultly soluble compound. It 
boils under slight decomposition between 205° and 
210° C, and is identical with the ketone (aldehyd) 
occurring in citronelle oil, which according to Kremers 
has the composition C7B14O, though the analyses 
made by Messrs. Schimmel correspond more closely to 
C7H12O. About a kilogram of this body, which it is 
proposed to call " citronellon," is available for investiga- 
tion. The oil from the leaves of Backhousia citriodora 
corresponds also with those attributed to it in a pre- 
vious report (loc. cit.). The aldehyd or ketone-like 
body there spoken of as its principal constituent has 
been more closely examined. It has a composition re- 
presented by the formula C01H16O, boils at 220°-227o 
C, undergoes decomposition in distillation, and easily 
resinifies. This body, which has been named " citral," 
possesses an intense lemon odour and has been found 
also in small quantity in lemon oil and lemon grass 
oil, while it constitutes 30 per cent, of oil distilled 
from " citronelle fruit." 
Ginyer Oil —The use of ginger oil is said to show 
a considerable falling off, the spirituous extract of 
the rhizome, being preferred for liqueurs. The specially 
prepared ginger from China referred to in a previous 
report (see vol. xviii., p. 888) has also proved unsuit- 
able and much too dear for the liqueur manufacture. 
Kesso Root Oil. — A first consignment of Kesso root, or 
Japanese valerian root ( Talrinia scabiosatfolia), has been 
received, and the oil distilled from it is now available. 
Lavender Oil. — Messrs. S ' nmel criticize some 
published descriptions of lavender oil and give the 
following as the character of what they would 
consider to be a genuine sample. Specific gravity : 
0-895 at 15° 0., 0 890 at 20° 0. Solubility: 1 pa-t 
in 8 parts of alcohol, sp. gr. 0 804. Distillation: Out 
of 100 c.c. below 100" O. none passes over ; from 
185' -190o, 6.5 c.c; from 190o to 200", 765 c.c; total 
below 250° 0., 85 c.c. 
Cocldearia Oil. — Messrs. Shimmel express the opinion 
that a genuine distillate of scurvy grass (Cocldearia 
Officinalis) is not to be met with in commerce and say 
that it could only be produced at enormous cost, since 
the fresh herb only contains J-J per 1000 of essential 
oil. A mixture of oil of rue with some mustard oil is 
sold under the name in Germanv, which has not the 
slightest resemblance to the genuine article. Scurvy- 
grass oil contains as its principal constituent, accord- 
ing to Hofmann, a fraction boiling at 161 c -165° 
C, sp. gr. 0 944, which he has reeo /nized as isobutyl 
mustard oil and prepared synthetically. Experiments 
made by Messrs. Schimmel, however, to obtain in this 
way an artificial scurvy-grass oil have been fruitless, 
since although the commercial isobutyl sulphocyanate 
has a certain resemblance to the genuine distillate, 
it cannot be used as a substitute on account of a 
highly objectionable odour accompanying it. 
Sumbul Oil Beferring to the difficulty in obtaining 
supplies of surabul root for the distillation of this 
oil, the report states that this drug is not now to be 
met with in Bussia. Formerly it was brought by 
merchants from Buchara, Turkestan, to the fair at 
Nischnei-Novgorod, but for some years past, on account 
of the absence of demand for it, the supply there 
has ceased. 
Rosemary Oil. — The following are given as the 
characters of an undoubtedly pure Italian oil of rose- 
mary, obtained fir^t band : — Specific gravity : 0 905 at 
15° C, 0-900 at 20° O. Solubility : 1 part in 12 parts 
of alcohol, sp. gr. 0'864. as a maximum, showing 
already a trace o f turbidity. Distillation : Out of 
100 c. c there passes over up to 170° C, 4'5 c. c. ; from 
170 e -200° C, 84 c. c. : total up to 200° C, 88-5 c. c. 
Mustard Oil. — In correction of some statements 
that have been made recently as to the amount of 
sulphuretted oil obtainable from certain cruciferous 
seeds, Messrs. Schimmel say that the maximum 
quantity of oil yielded by Brassica nigra (Dutch 
mustard) is 0'90 per cent., and by Sinapis junce'a 
(Russian mustard), 0'52 per cent. 
StOrax Oil.— The residue after the distillation of 
the oil from Styrasc liqaicla is said to ba practically 
odourless. 
Winleryreea Oil.— Mention is made that recently 
samples of wintergreen oil from Java have been re- 
ceived and some doubt is expres?ed as to it9 botanical 
origin. [It may be mentioned that seventeen years 
ago Dr. "Vrij stated in this Journal (vol. ii. , p. 503) 
that probably wintergreen oil could be distilled profit- 
ably in Java from the leaves of Gaultheria punctata.'] 
Ylany-Ylang Oil.- — According to information received 
from Manila, the differences in quality of the numer- 
ous varieties of this oil met with in commerce 
depend principally upon the method of preparation 
and the selection of blossoms, as these possess the 
finest aroma when freshly picked. In the distillation 
the first, most volatile, portion of the oil has an in- 
comparably fine perfume, whilst that distilling over 
afterwards gradually manifests a stale odour; the 
finest oil is therefore sent out by those firms that 
distil only the first portioD. In practice if 100 kilos 
of fresh flowers would yield 1200 grams of oil, the 
finest aroma would be concentrated in the first 600 
grams that passed over. 
Dilem Leaves Oil. — From Java a sample of " dileru 
leaves " has been received, possessing a very fine 
perfume and yielding a'lout 1 per cent, of an ethereal 
oil that in odour is said to resemble patchouli oil, 
but to smell essentially fresher, finer, and lass raustv. 
It is a yellowish-green, moderately thick liquid, has 
a specific gravity of 0 960 and boils between 250° 
and SOO 3 C. It is considered that if the cost of 
producing -this oil should pro.-o to be not too great 
it might take an important place in perfurapry, and 
steps are therefore being taken to determine the 
origin of the leaves and retain a supply. 
Mhssoy Lark Oil. — A large supply of massoy bark 
haviug been secured through the agency of the Ger- 
mau New Guiu^a Company, and appeal is made to 
the patriotism of Gerrnn 1 perfumers and soap makers 
to find an application for the first pioducc of this 
kind f i'om a German colony. The oil is described as 
