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VARIETIES. 
In  experiments  with  this  substance  it  must  be  carefully  remembered  J:hat 
it  is  exceedingly  poisonous,  and,  therefore,  great  caution  is  necessary  in  its 
admixture  with  substances  used  as  a  cosmetic,  otherwise  dangerous  results 
may  be  brought  about. 
Anise. — The  odorous  principle  is  procured  by  distilling  the  seeds  of  the 
plant  Pi?npinella  anisum;  the  product  is  the  oil  of  aniseed  of  commerce. 
As  it  congeals  at  a  temperature  of  about  50  Fahr.,  it  is  frequently  adulter- 
ated with  a  little  spermaceti  to  give  certain  solidity  to  it,  whereby  the  ad- 
dition of  other  cheaper  essential  oils  can  be  put  to  it  with  less  chance  of 
detection.  As  the  oil  of  aniseed  is  quite  soluble  in  spirit,  and  the  sperma- 
ceti insoluble,  the  fraud  is  easily  detected. 
This  perfume  is  exceedingly  strong,  and  is,  therefore,  well  adapted  for 
mixing  with  soap  and  for  scenting  pomatums,  but  does  not  do  nicely  in 
compounds  for  hankerchief  use. 
Balsam. — Under  this  article  there  are  two  or  three  substances  used  in 
perfumery,  such  as  balsam  of  Peru,  balsam  of  tolu,  and  balsam  of  storax 
(also  called  liquid  amber.)  The  first  named  is  procured  from  the  Myroxylon 
peruiferum ;  it  exudes  from  the  tree  when  wounded,  and  is  also  obtained  by 
boiling  down  the  bark  and  branches  in  water.  The  latter  is  the  most  com- 
mon method  for  procuring  it.  It  has  a  strong  odor  like  benzoin.  Former- 
ly it  was  much  used  for  mixing  with  soap,  but  I  think  more  with  an  idea 
of  medicinal  properties  than  for  the  sake  of  fragrance. 
Balsam  of  tolu  flows  from  the  Toluifera  balsamum.  It  resembles  common 
resin  (rosin) ;  with  the  least  warmth,  however,  it  runs  to  a  liquid,  like 
brown  treacle.  The  smell  of  it  is  particularly  agreeable,  and  being  soluble 
in  alcohol  makes  a  good  basis  for  a  bouquet,  giving  in  this  respect  a  per- 
manence of  odor  to  a  perfume  which  the  simple  solution  of  an  oil  would  not 
possess.  For  this  purpose  all  these  balsams  are  very  useful,  though  not  so 
much  used  as  they  might  be. 
Balsam  of  storax,  commonly  called  gum  styrax,  is  obtained  in  the  same 
manner,  and  possessing  similar  properties,  with  a  slight  variation  of  odor, 
is  applicable  in  the  same  manner  as  the  above. 
They  are  all  imported  from  South  America,  Chili,  and  Mexico,  where  the 
trees  that  produce  them  are  indigenous. 
Balm,  oil  of  Balm,  called  also,  oil  of  Melissa,  is  obtained  by  distilling  the 
leaves  of  the  Melissa  officinalis  with  water ;  it  comes  from  the  condensed 
steam  or  water,  from  which  it  is  separated  with  the  tap  funnel.  But  very 
little  used  in  perfumery,  if  we  except  its  combination  in  Aqua  di  Argento. 
Bay,  oil  of  sweet  Bay,  also  termed  essential  oil  of  laurel-berries,  is  a  very 
fragrant  substance,  procured  by  distillation  from  the  berries  of  the  bay- 
laurel.    Though  very  pleasant,  it  is  not  much  used. 
Bergamot. — This  most  useful  perfume  is  procured  from  the  Citrus  Berga- 
mia,  by  expression  from  the  peel  of  the  fruit.  It  has  a  soft  sweet  odor, 
too  well  known  to  need  description  here.  When  new  and  good  it  has  a 
greenish  yellow  tint,  but  loses  its  greenness  by  age,  especially  if  kept  in 
