230 
Expressed  Oil  of  Almonds. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm 
May,  1889. 
the  former  shows  the  same  structure,  long  prisms,  but  the  European 
oils  differ  considerably  in  appearance — a  globular  form  predominating ; 
they  all  polarize  light. 
For  the  examination  of  olive  oil,  the  specific  gravity,  elaidin- 
reaction,  iodine-absorption  and  fusing  point  of  the  fatty  acids  should 
be  considered ;  in  an  adulterated  oil  all  of  these  tests  will  tend  to 
confirm  the  adulteration  and  will  give  valuable  clues  to  the  nature  of 
the  adulterant. 
EXPRESSED  OIL  OF  ALMONDS. 
By  George  M.  Bering  er,  Ph.  G. 
Read  at  the  Pharmaceutical  Meeting,  April  16. 
The  examination  of  a  number  of  samples  of  oil  of  almonds  was 
undertaken  by  the  writer  with  a  two-fold  object  in  view ;  first,  to 
determine  the  purity  of  the  commercial  oils,  and,  secondly,  to  satisfy 
myself  as  to  the  value  of  the  requirements  and  tests  of  the  United 
States  and  German  Pharmacopoeias.  The  samples  of  oil  examined 
were  obtained  from  prominent  dealers  in  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia (most  of  them  being  samples  of  products  offered  for  sale),  and  as 
received  they  varied  in  amount  from  two  fluid  drachms  in  one  case, 
to  a  pint  in  several.  The  oils  examined  are  believed  to  represent 
those  now  in  the  market. 
For  comparison,  samples  of  pure  oil  were  prepared  by  extracting 
bitter  and  sweet  almonds  with  petroleum  ether.  The  bitter  yielded 
46  per  cent. ;  the  sweet  50  per  cent.  It  was  intended  also  to  prepare 
a  sample  of  peach- kernel  oil,  but  I  could  not  at  this  time  procure  the 
kernels.  I  regret  that  the  samples  in  most  cases  were  so  small  that 
they  were  insufficient  to  permit  of  the  application  of  a  number  of  tests. 
Specific  Gravity. — The  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia  states  the  specific 
gravity  at  '914  to  *920.  The  German  Pharmacopeia  as  *915  to  '920. 
The  British  Pharmacopoeia  is  silent  as  to  specific  gravity,  and  gives, 
likewise,  no  tests.  Watts'  dictionary  quotes  Cloez  as  authority  for 
its  statement  of  '91844.  Gmelin,  voi.  xvii.,  92,  gives  the  following: 
•911  (Brandes);  '917  (Brisson) ;  -918  at  15°  (Schubler).  Allen  (Com- 
mercial Organic  Analysis,  vol.  ii)  states  the  specific  gravity  as  *914 
to  '918.  Brannt  (Animal  and  Vegetable  Fats  and  Oils)  places  it  at 
•917  at  68°  F.,  and  -919  at  59°  F.  Bornemann  (Die  fetten  Oele) 
gives  -917  to  -920  at  15°  C. 
The  specific  gravities  of  the  samples  were  carefully  taken  at  60°  F., 
