VARIETIES. 
471 
vera]  perfumers  make  a  particular  mixture  for  this  purpose,  which  is 
called — 
Eau  a  Bruler. 
Eau  de  Cologne  .  . 
Tincture  of  benzoin 
"        vanilla  .  . 
Another  form  called 
1  pint. 
2  oz. 
1  oz. 
Otto  of  thyme 
"  mint 
"  nutmeg 
of  each  &  drachm, 
Eau  pour  Bruler. 
of  each  1  drachm. 
Rectified  spirit  1  pint.    Otto  of  thyme 
Benzoic  acid  i  oz.  *«  caraway 
Otto  of  bergamot     .    .    ,    .    2  oz. 
Persons  who  are  in  the  habit  of  using  the  perfume  lamps  will,  however, 
frequently  observe  that  whatever  difference  there  may  be  in  the  composition 
of  the  fluid  introduced  into  a  lamp,  that  there  is  a  degree  of  similarity  in 
the  odor  of  the  result  when  the  plantinum  is  in  action.  This  arises  from  the 
fact,  that  so  long  as  there  is  the  vapor  of  alcohol,  mixed  with  oxygen  air, 
passing  over  red  hot  platinum,  certain  definite  products  always  result, 
namely,  acetic  acid,  aldehyde,  and  acetal,  which  are  formed  more  or  less, 
and  impart  a  peculiar  and  rather  agreeable  fragrance  to  the  vapor,  but 
which  overpowers  any  other  odor  that  is  present. 
Fumigating  Paper. 
There  are  two  modes  of  preparing  this  article  : — 1.  Take  sheets  of  light 
cartridge  paper  and  dip  them  into  a  solution  of  alum — say,  alum,  one 
ounce  ;  water,  one  pint.  After  they  are  thoroughly  moistened,  let  them  be 
well  dried  ;  upon  one  side  of  this  paper  spread  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of 
gum  benzoin,  olibanum,  and  either  balm  of  tolu  or  Peruvian  balsam,  or  the 
benzoin  may  be  used  alone.  To  spread  the  gum,  &c,  it  is  necessary  that 
they  be  melted  in  an  earthenware  vessel,  and  poured  thinly  over  the  paper, 
finally  smoothing  the  surface  with  a  hot  spatula.  When  required  for  use, 
slips  of  this  paper  are  held  over  a  candle  or  lamp,  in  order  to  evaporate  the 
odorous  matter  but  not  to  ignite  it.  The  alum  in  the  paper  prevents  it  to 
a  certain  extent  from  burning.  2.  Sheets  of  good  light  paper  are  to  be 
steeped  in  a  solution  of  saltpetre,  in  the  proportions  of  two  ounces  of  the 
salt  to  one  pint  of  water,  to  be  afterwards  thoroughly  dried. 
Any  of  the  odoriferous  gums,  as  myrrh,  olibanum,  benzoin,  &c.,are  to  be 
dissolved  to  saturation  in  rectified  spirit,  and  with  a  brush  spread  upon  one 
side  of  the  paper,  which  being  hung  up,  rapidly  dried. 
Slips  of  this  paper  are  to  be  rolled  up  as  spills,  to  be  ignited  and  then  to 
be  blown  out. 
The  nitre  in  the  paper  causes  a  continuance  of  slow  combustion,  diffusing 
during  that  time  the  agreeable  perfume  of  the  odoriferous  gums.  If  two  of 
these  sheets  of  paper  be  pressed  together  before  the  surface  is  dry,  they 
will  join  and  become  as  one.  When  cut  into  slips  they  form  what  are  called 
"  odoriferous  lighters." — Annals  of  Pharmacy, 
