4 
Indian Forest Records. 
[Vol. IY. 
Besides the oil which was distilled very slowly with 70 per cent, 
spirit and which was found upon examination to he of a uniform 
and good quality, a few lots were also produced under varying 
conditions of distillation for experimental purposes. Some samples 
of these experimental distillations at Bhowali, which were made by 
rapid distillation at comparatively high temperature with dilute 
spirit, gave no better results than those obtained by water distil¬ 
lation. Though it is not possible to produce turpentine oil of the 
same composition as French and American oils, yet if the method 
described and advocated in Chapter Y of this Note were to be 
adopted, a great improvement in quality could be effected. 
The steam distillation was tried in the Laboratory by passing 
steam into the resin from a small laboratory boiler, but it was 
noticed that in this way only a small fraction of the oil could be 
distilled. The temperature had, therefore, to be raised to obtain 
the full yield of the oil, and it rose to 140° C. The quality of the 
crude oil thus obtained was not different from that obtained by 
water distillation, and in this respect, it was concluded, the steam 
had no advantage over water in the distillation of the Chir resin. 
This investigation has continued, off and on, for the last five 
years and has been of a technical nature. The fractional distilla¬ 
tion tests throughout this investigation were carried out in an 
ordinary fractional distillation flask at the usual barometric pressure 
of Debra Dun, say about 27 ^", and the fractions have always been 
calculated by volume. The results with a Young’s 12-bulb de- 
phlegmator undoubtedly would have been different, but the absolute 
accuracy of the fractional distillation of various samples examined 
was neither aimed at, nor necessary; they have only a comparative 
significance and care has been taken to always distil fractionally a 
sample of American oil side by side with samples under examin¬ 
ation, under the same conditions for purposes of comparison. To 
check the figures obtained, three samples were also sent to Dr. 
J. W. Leather at Pusa, who was kind enough to examine them; the 
results thus obtained agreed with slight variations with those 
obtained at Debra Dun. The figures given, therefore, may be 
taken as correct for comparative purposes. 
On the whole, the results of the enquiry into the distillation of 
Chir oil are considered worth recording, and, therefore, the details 
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