370 
Notes  on  Essential  Oils. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
July,  1889. 
NOTES  ON  ESSENTIAL  OILS  FROM  MESSRS.  SCHIM- 
MEL  AND  CO.'S  REPORT.* 
{Continued  from  page  314.) 
Citronelle  Oil — The  exports  of  this  oil  from  Ceylon  during  the  year  1888 
are  estimated  to  have  amounted  to  at  least  double  the  exports  of  the  previ- 
ous year,  since  in  the  month  of  August  alone  the  shipments  reached  2,322,- 
890  ounces,  or  four  times  the  average  of  the  same  month  in  the  three  previ- 
ous years.  This  enormous  export  from  Ceylon  is  driving  the  production  of 
the  oil  in  the  Straits  Settlements  into  the  background. 
Almond  Oil — Under  this  head  reference  is  made  to  the  advantage  that 
would  result  in  the  improved  color  of  almond  oil  if  a  practical  method  of 
blanching  the  almonds  could  be  introduced.  It  would  be  an  indispensable 
condition  that  the  almonds  should  not  require  to  be  moistened,  because 
otherwise  the  formation  of  the  essential  oil  of  bitter  almonds  would  be  in- 
duced and  the  fixed  oil  would  acquire  a  strong  bitter  taste  and  contain  a 
trace  of  hydrocyanic  acid. 
Cassia, — With  respect  to  cassia  oil  Messrs.  Schimmel  state  that  the  greater 
part  of  that  found  at  present  in  commerce  is  sophisticated  in  the  most  shame- 
ful manner.  The  oil  appears  to  be  obtained  by  the  dealers  in  Hongkong, 
Macao,  and  Canton  through  native  agents  who  get  it  direct  from  the  Chinese 
who  produce  it.  As  to  the  particular  place  from  which  it  comes  no  infor- 
mation is  available;  only  this  is  certain,  that  it  is  not  manufactured  in 
Macao,  the  place  designated  on  all  the  labels.  It  is  therefore  thought  most 
probable  that  it  is  sophisticated  by  the  producer,  and  sent  in  this  condition 
into  the  market.  In  Hongkong  it  is  the  custom  among  the  dealers  to  have 
the  oil  examined  in  a  "medical  hall"  and  its  genuineness  certified.  The 
value  of  this  guarantee  may  be  judged  from  the  fact  that  a  sample  certified 
to  be  unadulterated  oil  of  cassia,  1'060  sp.  gr.,  dissolving  readily  in  alcohol 
of  80°  Tr.  and  perfectly  volatile,  proved  to  contain  20  per  cent,  of  solid  resin — 
colophony  or  pitch — and  a  corresponding  quantity  of  petroleum,  probably 
added  to  regulate  the  specific  gravity  and  consistence.  The  three  following 
brands  are  mentioned  as  having  been  found  grossly  adulterated:  yellow 
label  with  the  American  eagle :  Yan  Loong,  Macao ;  yellow  label  with  sail- 
ing-vessel :  Cheong  Loong,  Macao ;  rose-colored  label  with  wreath  of  flowers  : 
Luen  Tai,  Macao.  The  oil  was  noticeable  superficially  for  its  dark  brown 
color  and  consistency.  Upon  shaking  it  in  a  flask  it  remained  adherent  to 
the  sides  for  a  long  time.  The  specific  gravity  corresponded  tolerably  well 
with  the  statement  in  the  certificate,  varying  between  1*052  and  T065.  The 
boiling-point  lay  between  200°  and  265°  C.  As  a  residue  after  distillation 
there  remained  in  the  retort  from  23  to  26  per  cent,  of  a  solid  brittle  resin. 
In  order  to  exclude  any  doubt  as  to  whether  this  resin  might  possibly  have 
resulted  through  heating  over  an  open  fire,  several  canisters  of  each  of  these 
brands  of  oil  were  submitted  to  distillation  in  a  current  of  steam.  The 
greater  part  of  the  distillate  sank  in  the  water,  but  a  portion  collected  on 
*From  the  April  Bericht  of  Messrs.  Schimmel  and  Co.  of  Leipzig;  reprinted  from 
Phar.  Jour,  and  Trans ;  April  6  and  20. 
