(B. Fl. iii, 203.)

Systematic - The data given under E. phellandra applies in almost every particular to this species, so that no systematic description is required.

As the cineol content is very low, it is thought that for industrial as well as for scientific purposes, this variety had better be upheld.

So far it has only been collected by us at Blackheath, Katoomba, Mt. Victoria, in the Blue Mountains, and Lithgow, New South Wales.

ESSENTIAL OIL. - Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation were collected at Blackheath, N.S.W., in September, 1919. The yield of oil was 2.6 per cent. The crude oil was of a light lemon-yellow colour, and had an odour somewhat resembling that of the "narrow-leaf peppermint" of the ranges. The principal constituent was phellandrene, and pinene practically absent. Piperitone appears to be absent, or if present can only be so in traces. Cineol was detected in very small amount. Eudesmol was found by crystallisation, and geraniol was also shown to occur.

The crude oil had specific gravity at 150 C. = 0.-8665 I rotation aD - 45.740; refractive index at 200 = 1.4805, and was insoluble in 10 volumes 80 per cent, alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 6.2, and in the cold with two hours' contact it was 3.9.

A portion was acetylated in the usual way; the saponification number for this acetylated oil was 407, and in the cold with two hours' contact, it was 22.7. Taking the free alcohols as consisting of eudesmol and geraniol only, this result shows that about 5.3 per cent, of geraniol, and 4.8 per cent, of eudesmol were present in the crude oil of this Eucalypt.

On rectification, 1 per cent, distilled below 1720 C. (corr.). Between 172-1940, 88 per cent, distilled; between 194-2600, 6 per cent, came over, and between 260-2760, 4 per cent, distilled. These fractions gave the following results: -

The cineol was determined by the resorcinol method in the first fraction; a ketone absorption made in the same portion gave 2 per cent.; when corrected for the crude oil, the cineol present was only 5 per cent.

Material of this Eucalypt for distillation was forwarded from Guildford Junction, Tasmania, in September, 1912. The yield of oil was 0.6 per cent., which is considerably lower than from the New South Wales material. The oils, however, were practically identical in every way, and there is little doubt but that both were distilled from the same species. The chief constituent was phellandrene, and pinene probably absent. Cineol was detected, but in very small amount. Eudesmol was present, proved by crystallisation. It is doubtful if piperitone occurred, if so, it could only be in traces. Geraniol was detected as in the previous case.

The crude oil had specific gravity at 150 C. = 0.8628; rotation aD - 57.8°; refractive index at 20° = 1.4833, and was insoluble in 10 volumes 80 per cent, alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 4.5.

A portion was acetylated in the usual manner; the saponification number for this acetylated oil was 33.6, and in the cold with two hours' contact, 22.1. Considering the free alcohols to consist of eudesmol and geraniol only, this result gives about 3 per cent. eudesmol and 6 per cent. geraniol.

On rectification, 1 per cent, distilled below 1720 C. (corr.). Between 172-1930, 79 per cent, distilled; between 193-2550, 6 per cent, came over, and between 255-2750, 10 per cent, distilled. These fractions gave the following results: -

The cineol was determined by the resorcinol method in the first fraction; when calculated for the crude oil, the result was only 1 per cent. A ketone determination with the first fraction gave negligible results.

As illustrating the comparative constancy in results with the products of individual species, it may be mentioned that the above localities are over 600 miles apart.