592 
THE LIGNALOE-WOOD OF MEXICO. 
as a perfume which appears to be more abundant in the second species than in the 
first. I observed both kinds under this trivial name in the herbarium of the Botanic 
Garden at Mexico. The balsam of the Burseracece has similar properties to that of 
Copaiba, and is sometimes employed for the same purposes.* 
When first the Lignaloe oil appeared in the English market, doubts were 
entertained as to its being a genuine production. Some amount of obscurity 
also seems to have surrounded its geographical source. In consequence of 
this, a request was made through the importers for some of the wood to be 
sent from Mexico, so that the oil could be extracted in this country. This 
request, as stated above, was complied with. In order, how r ever, to place the 
matter beyond all dispute, Messrs. Riensch, Schmilinsky, and Schacht, the 
agents at Colima, applied to Senor Francis Gomez Palencia, the Secretary 
to the Government, to certify officially as to the genuineness of the Lignaloe 
oil as manufactured by Don Adolphus Langhoff, and also as to the tree from 
which the essence was obtained, and its habitat. This was granted, and 
Augustus Morrill, Esq., American Yice-Consul at Manzanilla, on the coast 
of Colima, attested Senor Palencia’s signature. For the original documents, 
which are now before me, I am indebted to the courtesy of Messrs. Fesser, 
Uhthoff, and Co., Merchants, of Leadenhall Street, London. They are in 
Spanish, and may be rendered thus :— 
GO 
("Translation.]—To the Secretary of the Government of the State of Colima. 
Sir,—Wishing to prove in the markets of Europe that the essence of “Lignaloe,” 
which Senor Don Adolphus Langhoff extracts in the establishment which we 
founded in the year 1863 in the house opposite to those occupied by the Govern¬ 
ment offices, is veritable and the original product of the fruit and wood of the 
Linaloe-tree which grows in the mountains of this valley of Colima and the imme¬ 
diate neighbourhood,—we beg you to certify the truth of this document by your 
signature and the seal of the department under your worthy charge. 
(Signed) Riensch, Schmilinsky, and Schacht. 
( 2 .) 
[Translation.]—Francis Gomez Palencia, Secretary of the Government 
of the State of Colima. 
T certify that the essence of “ Linaloe,” which is produced by Senor Don Adolphus 
Langhoff, in the manufactory which was founded in this capital by Senores Riensch, 
Schmilinsky, and Schacht, is extracted from and is the original product of the fruit 
and wood of the “ Linaloe”-tree which grows in the mountains of this State. 
Colima, April 23rd, 1868. . ;, v -^ 
(Signed) ' Fco. Gomez Palencia, Secretary. 
Government Stamp of Colima. ’ 
j(3.) - 
Consulate of the United States at Manzanillo, 
April 27th, 1868. 
I, Augustus Morrill, Vice-Consul at Manzanillo, do hereby certify, that the sig¬ 
nature of D. Francisco Gomez Palencia, at the foot of the paper hereunto an¬ 
nexed, is his true and genuine signature, and as such entitled to faith and credit. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of this con¬ 
sulate, the day and year above written. 
(Signed) Augustus Morrill, U.S. Vice-Consul. 
Consulate, U.S.A., Manzanillo. 
Accompanying these documents was a tin box, labelled “ leaves and flowers 
of Lignaloe.” Unfortunately, however, they were but a few scanty leaves, much 
broken, and without flowers or fruit. These leaves are imparipinnate, and 
* ‘ Reisen in Mexiko in den Jahren 1845-48, von Bartholomaeus Heller.’ Leipsig, 1853, 
p. 426. 
