Volatile
Oils of Australia.
Part 2
21. Eucalyptus obliqua, I, Herit., N.O., Myrtaceae, B.FL, iii., 204.
Variously called " Stringybark," " Messmate" "
Black Box," and " Ironbark Box." (For synonyms, see
"Timbers.")
The essential oil is reddish-yellow, of mild odour, and bitter taste.
Sp. gr., 0.899; boiling point, 171� to 195�; it becomes turbid at 18�.
(Wittstein and Mueller.)
Southern coast districts of New South Wales, but chiefly in Tasmania,
Victoria and South Australia.
22. Eucalyptus Odorata, Behr., (Syn. E: porosa, Miq.; E. cajuputea, IMiq.);
N.O., Myrtaceae, B.Fl., iii., 215.
Variously called " Peppermint Box" and " Red Gum."
Baron Mueller found that 1000 lbs of twigs of this tree (comprising,
perhaps, 500 lbs. of leaves) yielded 112 � ozs. of essential oil. Bosisto
(Trans. R.S., Victoria, vol. vi., 1861-4), however, gives the following
figures :� 100 lbs. of leaves from trees growing on elevated spots yielded
4 oz. 13 drs. of oil, of specific gravity 922, while the same quantity of
leaves from trees growing on low, swampy lands, yielded only 5� drs. of oil
of specific gravity .899. It is pale-yellowish, with a greenish tinge, and
an aromatic, somewhat camphoraceous smell. It boils between 157� and 199�.
South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
23. Eucalyptus oleosa, F.v.M., (Syn. E. socialis, F.v.M.; E. turbinata,
F.v.M., et Behr.j; N.O., Myrtaceaj, B.Fl., iii., 248.
A " Mallee."
Baron Mueller found that 1000 lbs. of the foliage of this tree (of which
perhaps half the weight consisted of branchlets) yielded 62� oz. of oil
(Mr. Bosisto's figures are 20 oz. of oil from 100 lbs. of the green leaves
and branchlets), of 911 specific gravity, at 70� F., boiling at 341� F.,
and of rather a pleasant mint-like and camphoraceous odour, and yellowish
colour. (Later experiments give the specific gravity at .904.) These
determinations were made by Dr. Gladstone. The rotatory power was determined
for a column of liquid 10 inches long. (Watts Diet, of Chem.)
Western and South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
24. Eucalyptus Planchoniana, F.v.M., N.O., Myrtaceae, F.v.M., Fragm., xi.
The fresh leaves yield .06 per cent, of an essential oil, having a
specific gravity of .915. (Staiger.) The odour of this oil is described as
peculiar, allied to citronelle, but differing from it. It has been suggested
as a soap-perfume.
Near Brisbane, and Northern New South Wales.
25. Eucalyptus populifolia, Hook., (Syn. E. populnea, F.v.M. ;and
including E. largiflorens var. parviflora, Benth.; E. platyphylla, F.v.M.);
N.O.Myrtaceae, B.Fl., iii., 214.
Variously called " Poplar Box," " Red Box,"
"White Box," " Bimbil, or Bembil Box." The
essential oil obtained from the leaves closely resembles cajuput in odour,
perhaps more so than any other Eucalyptus oil.
New South Wales, Queensland and Northern Australia.
26. Eucalyptus rostrata, Schlecht., N.O., Myrtaceae, B.Fl., iii., 240.
" Red Gum." (For the numerous other vernacular names and
botanical synonyms of this Eucalypt, see "Timbers.")
The essential oil is pale-yellow to reddish-amber in colour ; it smells and
tastes like that from E. odorata ; is of 0.918 specific gravity, and boils
at 137� to 181� F. (Wittstein and Mueller.)Plants grown on high ground
give an oil of a dark amber colour, possessing an agreeable aromatic
flavour, and having the odour of caraways. The yield from 100 lbs. of the
fresh gathered leaves was 1 oz. 6 drs. The plants grown on low marshy soil
yielded an oil of a pale-yellow colour, in appearance and smell similar to
that yielded by E. odorata, the quantity being 9� drs. to 100 lbs.
(Bosisto, Trans. U.S., Victoria, vol. vi., 1861-4.)
South Australia to Northern Queensland.
27. Eucalyptus Staigeriana, F.v.M., N.O., Myrtaceae, Bailey in Synop.
Queensland Flora.
" Lemon-scented Ironbark."
The leaves possess an odour very like the scented verbena (Lippia
citriodora), and yield an oil similar to the verbena oil (from Andropogon
citratus) of commerce. Mr. Staiger found the dried leaves to yield 2� to 3
per cent, (other figures give 129 oz. to 1 ton of dry leaves) of volatile
oil of specific gravity .901. Later experiments fix the specific gravity at
.871, while Messrs. Schimmel & Co., of Dresden, give the specific
gravity 0.880, and boiling point from 170� to 230�. It is said that the
yield of oil from this Eucalypt is only exceeded by one other species, viz.,
E. amygdalina, and the yield is only very slightly in favour of the latter.
Compare Backhousia citriodora.
Queensland.
28. Eucalyptus uncinata, Turcz., (Syn. E. leptophylla, Miq.; E. oleosa,
F.v.M. (partly) ; N.O., Myrtaceae, B.FL, iii., 216.
A " Malice." "Gunamalary" of the aboriginals of the
Lake Hind-marsh Station (Victoria).
Baron Mueller found that 1000 lbs. of twigs of this tree (comprising,
perhaps, 500 lbs. of foliage) yielded 69 ozs. of essential oil.
West and South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
29. Eucalyptus viminalis, Labill., N.O., Myrtaceae, B.FL, iii., 239-275
" Manna Gum." " Grey Gum." " White Gum."
(For the other numerous vernacular names and botanical synonyms of this
Eucalypt, see " Timbers.")
The essential oil is of a pale yellowish-green colour, of disagreeable, but
not penetrating- smell; of 0.921 sp. gr.; it boils at 159� to 182�.
(Wittstein and Mueller.) A tree grown at St. Kilda, Melbourne, yielded Mr.
Bosisto half-an-ounce of oil per 100 lbs. of leaves. The sp. gr. of the
essential oil of E. dealbata (viminalis) is given by Mr. Staiger at .871 at
72� F. Its odour is described as being allied to citronelle, though
differing from it, and it is suggested as a soap-perfume. Messrs. Schimmel
& Co. (Pharm. Journ., April, 1888) speak of the oil of E. dealbata as
possessing, in common with those of E. Baileyana, E. microcorys, and E.
maculata, var. citriodora, " a magnificent, melissa-like odour, which,
especially in the oil of E. dealbata, is manifest in a surprisingly fine and
rich bouquet. It is thought they will prove to possess extraordinary
practical value."
Bosisto (Tram;. R.S., Victoria, vol. vi., 1861-4) states that the oil of E.
fabrorum (viminalis) is transparent, reddish-yellow, milder in odour than
that from E. globulus; in flavour, resembling caraways and smoke-essence
combined, and distinctly bitter to the taste. Yield : 8ozs., from 100 lbs.
of fresh leaves.
Tasmania, South Australia, through Victoria to New South Wales.
30. Melaleuca decussata, R.Br., (Syn. M. parviflora, Reichb.; M.
oligantha, F.v.M.; M. tetragonia, Otto.); N.O., Myrtacex, B.FL, iii., 133.
The essential oil is of oily consistence and amber colour, sp. gr.
0.938; it boils at 185�-2O9�, and resembles the oil from M. Wilsonii.
(Wittstein.) 100 lbs. of the leaves and branchlets yielded about 6oz. of
essential oil. (Mueller.)
Victoria and South Australia.
31. Melaleuca ericifolia, Smith, (Syn. M. nodosa, Sieb. non Smith ; M.
Gunniana, Schau; M. hediophila, F.v.M.); N.O. Myrtaceae, B.FL, iii., 159.
The essential oil is pale yellow, and has a taste and smell like cajuput
oil; is thin, specific gravity 0.899 � 0.902, and boils at 149� �
184�. (Wittstein and Mueller.) 100 lbs. of the leaves and smaller branches
yield 5 oz. of oil. With age, it improves greatly. (Bosisto.)
All the colonies except Western Australia.
32. Melaleuca genistifolia, Smith, (Syn. M. lanceolata, Otto; M.
bracteata, F.v.M. ; Metrosideros decora, Salisb.); N.O., Myrtaceae.
" Ridge Myrtle." Called " Ironwood" in Queensland.
The essential oil is pale greenish-yellow, and mild in odour and taste.
Mr. Bosisto gives 1 oz. 2 drs. as the approximate yield of oil from 100 lbs.
of leaves and branchlets.
New South Wales to Northern Australia.
33. Melaleuca Leucadendron, Linn., (Syn. M. Cajuputi, Roxb. M. minor,
Smith ; M. viridiflora, Gaertn.; M. saligna Blume ; Metrosideros albida,
Sieb.; M. coriacea, Salisb.) ; N.O., Myrtaceae, B.F1., iii., 142. M.
Lencadendra in Muell Cens., p. 55.
" White Tea-tree." " Broad-leaved Tea-tree." "
Swamp Tea-tree." " Paper-barked Tea-tree." " Atchoourgo"
of the aboriginals of theMitchell River, North Queensland. "
Whitewood" of Northern Territory.
This is a tree which has several fairly well-defined varieties. The
fresh leaves of the Australian variety yield -895 per cent, of a. slightly
acid essential oil, of specific gravity 917. (Staiger.) Dr. Bancroft,
(speaking of M. Leucadendron var. lancifolia), considers " this oil to
be more agreeable than that of cajuput oil, which it closely
resembles." He finds that small insects imprisoned in its vapour are
intoxicated. He has found it of value as an antiseptic inhalation in
phthisis, for which purpose he considers it more pleasant than Eucalyptus
oil. A sample of Queensland oil, however, examined at the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition by an expert, was described as having " a distinctly
disagreeable odour, not resembling cajuput, but reminding one of rotten
fruit," so that probably the variety yielding it is somewhat removed
from the typical form yielding the cajuput oil of commerce. In Bentley and
Trimen's Medicinal Plants, 108, the name Melaleuca minor is retained as the
species name for the cajuput oil plant; "as,! however, it appears that
this is the form only from which the oil is obtained, we have maintained the
specific name without intending thereby to express any opinion as to its
distinctness from the common Australian 'Tea-tree' (M. Leucadendron.)"I
have, however, given a few notes on cajuput oil, although 1 am a little
uncertain as to whether the particular variety of Melalenca which produces
it is actually indigenous in Australia. But, whether it is actually
indigenous or not, the oils yielded by the various species of Melaleuca
possess a greater or less family likeness, and as the oil of the present
species has been most worked at, the notes will be useful as a guide.
Rumphius says that the leaves are gathered on a warm day and placed in a sack, where they become hot and damp. They are then macerated in water and left to ferment for a night, and afterwards submitted to distillation. Two sacks full of the leaves yield only about three fluid drachms of the oil. Lesson's account is also given in Bentley and Trimen's Medicinal Plants. This is probably a proper and convenient way of treating the leaves of many of our myrtaceous trees with the view of extracting the oil they contain.
"Cajuput, or cajuput oil, is much used in India as an external application for rheumatism. It is a powerful anti-spasmodic diffusible stimulant, and sudorific. It is coming more into use in European practice. It varies in colour from yellowish-green to bluish-green ; it is a transparent mobile fluid, with an agreeable camphoraceous odour, and bitter aromatic taste, sp. gr. 0.926, it remains liquid at 13�C.,and deviates the ray of polarized light to the left. (The author has noticed the oil of every shade of brown, but when exposed to the light it in a few days turns to a greenish colour.) The green tint of the oil may be due to copper*, a minute proportion of which metal is usually present in all that is imported. It may be made evident by agitating the oil with very dilute hydrochloric acid. To the acid, after it has been put into a platinum capsule, a little zinc should be added, when the copper will be immediately deposited on the platinum. The liquid may then be poured off, and the copper dissolved and tested.
When the oil is rectified, it is obtained colourless, but it readily
becomes green if in contact for a short time with metallic copper. Guibourt
has, however, proved by experiment, that the volatile oil obtained by the
distillation of the leaves of several species of Melaleuca, Metrosideros and
Eucalyptus, has naturally a fine green hue. It is not improbable that this
hue is transient, and that the contamination with copper is intentional, in
order to obtain a permanent green." (Materia Medica of Western India,
Dymock.) Oil of cajuput consists mainly of the dihydrate of a hydrocarbon,
called Cajputene, isomeric with oil of turpentine. On submitting it to
fractional distillation, dihydrate of cajputene, which constitutes about
two-thirds of the crude oil, passes over between 175� and 178�; smaller
fractions, perhaps products of decomposition, are obtained from 178� to
240�, and from 240� to 250� ; and at 250� only a small residue is left,
consisting of carbonaceous matter mixed with metallic copper. On treating
this residue with ether, a green solution is obtained, which, when
evaporated, leaves a green resin, soluble in the portion which boils between
175� and 178�, and capable of restoring the original colour. (Walls'
Dict., i., 710.) For a full account of Cajputene, isocajputene,
Paracajputene, and the salts of Cajputene, see p. 711-2, loc. Cit.
Western Australia, New South Wales and Northern Australia.
34. Melaleuca linariifolia, Smith, (Syn. Metrosideros hyssopifolia, Cav.);
N.O., Myrtaceae, B.F1., iii., 140.
The essential oil is light-straw coloured, mobile, of rather pleasant
cajuput-like odour; very agreeable taste, suggestive of mace, but afterwards
mint-like; of 0.903 specific gravity, and boiling point 175� to 187�.
(Jurors' Report Exhib., 1862, chiefly from Bosisto's experiments.) Mr.
Bosisto obtained 28 ozs. from 100 lbs. of the fresh leaves.
New South Wales and Queensland.
35. Melaleuca Squarrosa, Smith, (Syn. M. myrtifolia, Vent.); N.O.,
Myrtaceae, B.F1., iii., 140.
The essential oil from this shrub is green, and of disagreeable taste.
Yield, only 5 drs. from 100 lbs. of material. (Bosisto.)
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.
36. Melaleuca uncinata, R.Br., (Syn. M. hamata, F. and G. Sert., PI.; M.
Drummondii, Schau.; M. semileres, Schau.); N.O., Myrtaceae, B.F1. iii., 150.
Common "Tea-tree." Called "Broom" in South
Australia. " Yaang-arra"ofthe aboriginals of Illawarra (New South
Wales); "Dyurr" of those of Lake Hindmarsh Station (Victoria).
This essential oil is green, and smells like that of M. ericifolia, with an
admixture of peppermint. (Wittstein.)
South and Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, and
Queensland.
37. Melaleuca Wilsonii, F.v.M.; N.O., Myrtaceae, 13.F1. iii., 134.
This essential oil somewhat resembles cajuput oil, and is of 0.925
specific gravity. The yield is 4 ozs. from 100 lbs. of green material; the
oil is of a pale-yellow colour; in odour, slightly resembling that from M.
ericifolia, but devoid of its sweetness. (Bosisto.)
Victoria and South Australia.
38. Mentha australis, R- Br., (Syn. Micromeria australis, Benth.); N.O.,
Labiatae, B.F1. v. 83.
" Native Peppermint." " Panaryle " of the natives at
the Coranderrk Station (Victoria). (Query: Is this an aboriginal attempt to
pronounce the word " Pennyroyal ?") In taste and smell, this oil
hardly differs from ordinary oil of peppermint, but it may be described as
somewhat coarser than the best samples of that substance. (Report of Dublin
Exh., 1865.) Mr. Bosisto obtained 3 ozs. of oil from 100 lbs. of this plant.
All the colonies except Western Australia.
39. Mentha gracilis, R.Br., (Syn. Micromeria. gracilis, Benth.); N.O.,
Labiataj, B.F1., v., 83.
The herb from which this oil is obtained contains a portion of its
volatile oil in the stems, the total yield from 100 lbs. of the green plant
being 3 oz. Its smell is like oil of peppermint, with a slight admixture of
pennyroyal. The supply of oil from the leaves is tolerably copious, 100 lbs.
of the fresh green shrub, inclusive of branchlets, furnishing 6� ozs. of a
pale-yellow, limpid oil, the odour of which is hardly distinguishable from
that of oil of rue, though, perhaps, a little intense and penetrating. Its
taste is very disagreeable and acrid, strongly resembling that of rue. The
medicinal action of this oil is that of a diuretic and diaphoretic. (Report
Dublin Exh., 1865.)
All the colonies except Western Australia and Queensland.
40. Mentha grandiflora, Benth., N.O., Myrtaceae, B.F1., v. 82.
This mint oil has a fiery, bitter, and very unpleasant nauseous taste,
together with a characteristic after-taste. It could not be used as a
substitute for common peppermint, except for medical purposes. Its specific
gravity is .924, and its yield 5 oz. from 100 lbs. of the fresh herb.
(Report of Dublin Exhibition, 1865.)
New South Wales and Queensland.
41. Mentha laxiflora, Benth., N.O., Labiaue, B.Fl., v. 82.
This plant yields, on distillation, a pleasant oil, similar to that from
peppermint.
Victoria and New South Wales.
42. Nesodaphne obtusifolia, Benth., (Syn. Beilschmiedia obtusifolia,
Benth., et Hook.; Cryptocarya obtusifolia, F.v.M.); N.O., Laurinese, B.Fl.,
v. 299. B. obtusifolia in Muell. Cens., p. 3.
"Queensland Sassafras."
One ton of the dry bark yields 770 oz. of essential oil (Staiger), =
2.15 per cent. The specific gravity is .978 at 72�F.
New South Wales and Queensland.
43. Pittosporum Undulatum, Vent., N.O. Pittosporeae, B.Fl..
" Native Laurel." " Mock Orange." "
Wallundun-deyren " of the aborigines.
The oil obtained from the flowers by distillation is limpid, colourless,
lighter than water, of an exceedingly agreeable jasmine-like odour; the
taste disagreeably hot and bitter, reminding one slightly of turpentine and
rue. (Bailey.) 100 lbs. of flowers gave, on distillation, 2 oz. of essential
oil (Mueller). Iodine, when brought in contact with it, gives rise to an
explosion. This is true of many other oils.
Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
44. Polypodium phymatodes, Linn., (Syn. Pleopeltis phymalodes, T. Moore);
N.O., Filices, B.F1., vii., 769.
This plant yields an aromatic oil, said to be used in the South Sea
Islands for perfuming cocoa-nut oil (Woolls.) See Angiopteris evecta.
Queensland and Northern Australia.
45. Prostanthera lasianthos, Labill. N.O. Labiatae, B.Fl., v., 93.
Called "Dogwood" in Victoria. " Coranderrk; " the
aboriginal station of that name is called after this plant. A
greenish-yellow oil, limpid, and of mint-like odour and taste, and specific
gravity 0.912. The yield from 100lbs. of fresh leaves is 2 oz. 4 � drachms.
(Bosisto.)
All the colonies.
46. Prostanthera rotundifolia, R.Br., (Syn. P. retusa, R.Br.; P.
cotinifolia, A. Cunn.); N.O., Labiatse, B.Fl., v., 96.
This essential oil is of darker colour, and of sp. gr. 0.941, but
otherwise resembling the oil from P. lasianthos. (Report of Exh., 1862.) The
yield from 100 lbs. of leaves is 12 ozs. of oil. These oils are carminative.
(Bosisto.)
All the colonies except Queensland and Western Australia.
47. Zieria Smithii, Andr., (Syn. Z. lanceolata, R.Br.; Boronia
arborescens, F.v.M.); N.O., Rutaceae, B.Fl., i., 306.
Colonial names are " Sandfly Bush " and " Turmeric."
It is called " Stinkwood " in Tasmania. The essential oil is
distilled from the leaves. It is pale yellow, of the taste and odour of rue,
and of 0.950 specific gravity. (Report Exhib., 1862.) 100 lbs. of the green
material produce 6 � ozs. of oil. (Bosisto.)
All the colonies except South and Western Australia.
PERFUMES. (SEE ALSO "ESSENTIAL OILS.")
ALTHOUGH many Australian plants (notably a few of the wattles) have
sweet-scented flowers, the author is not aware of any serious attempt having
yet been made in the colonies to utilize their perfumes. Several of the
essential oils, e.g., Backhousia citriodora, Eucalyptus maculata, var.
citriodora and E. Staigeriana, page 254 et seq., obtained from the leaves of
plants are really perfumes, and their chief use is in scenting soaps, and
other preparations. But the quantity obtained is but small, and the plants
used are wild. The advice to landowners to try the planting of perfume
plants has been frequently given, but it does not appear to promise a heavy
profit immediately, and so the industry is neglected. Many parts of littoral
Australia are very gardens of flowers, and for a comfortable selector to
establish the minor industry of flower-farming and storage of their
perfumes, there would be but little outlay; the time required would chiefly
be odd moments, while the produce would be a valuable commodity. But,
however much we may regret it, we must acknowledge that there is too little
enterprise amongst those of us engaged in tilling the soil.
The following is interesting, being from the pen of an authority on perfumery, and one who had travelled in Australia, and who had facilities for learning about Australia not possessed by many dwellers in Europe :�
"The commercial value of flowers is of no mean importance to the
wealth of nations. But, vast as is the consumption of perfumes by the people
under the rule of the British Empire, little has been done in England,
either at home or in her tropical colonies, towards the establishment of
flower-farms, or the production of the raw odorous substances in demand by
the manufacturing perfumers of Britain ; consequently, nearly the whole are
the produce of foreign countries. " The climate of some of the British
colonies especially fits them for the production of odours from flowers that
require elevated temperature to bring them to perfection.
" But for the lamented death of Mr. Charles Piesse, Colonial Secretary for Western Australia, flower-farms would doubtless have been established in that colony long ere the publication of this work (1862). Though thus personally frustrated in adapting a new and useful description of labour to British enterprise, I am no less sanguine of the final results in other hands." (Piesse, The Art of Perfumery.) The few species given below do not profess to be a complete list of Australian perfume plants; the list may, however, be suggestive.
Acacia Conferta, A Cunn., N.O., Leguminosae, B.F1., ii., 343.
The flowers of this tree possess a remarkable perfume which Dr. Woolls
thinks might be utilized commercially. The following species�Acacia
acuminata, Benth., A. doratoxylon, A. Cutm., A. harpophylla, F.v.M., A.
pendula, A. Cunn., amongst others, yield scented wood, and, therefore, may
rank amongst perfumes. (See "Timbers.")
New South Wales and Queensland.
2. Acacia farnesiana, Willd.,(Syn.A.lenticillata,F.v M.); N.O.,
Leguminosae, B.F1., ii., 419.
" Dead Finish " is the absurd name given to the wood. The
flowers yield a delightful perfume, and for that quality are much cultivated
in the South of France. The cultivation of this plant is particularly worthy
the attention of settlers in Australia as an auxiliary industry. In Italy
and France its sweet-scented flowers are mixed with melted fat or olive oil,
which becomes impregnated with their odour, and constitutes the line pomade
called " Cassie."
Interior of South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Northern
Australia.
3. Acacia pycnantha, Benth., (Syn. A, petiolaris, Lehm; A. falcinella,
Meissn.); N.O., Leguminosae, B.F1., ii., 365.
" Golden Wattle." " Green Wattle." " Broad-leaved
Wattle."
An extract of the flowers of this Wattle was shown as a perfume at the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886. A score of other species of Acacia,
e.g., A. suaveolens, might be selected as worthy of culture as perfume
plants. " Mutton fat being cheap, and the Wattle plentiful, a
profitable trade may be anticipated in curing the flowers, &c." (Piesse,
Art of Perfumery?)
South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
4. Andropogon Schoenanthus, Linn., (Syn. A. Martini, Roxb.; A. cilratum,
DC.; A. Nardus, Linn.; Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Spreng.); N.O., Gramineae,
B.FI., vii., 534.
A strong-growing grass, more in repute as a perfume than a fodder. Other
species of Andropogon are more or less aromatic.
Queensland.
5. Anisomeles salvifolia, R.Br., N.O., Labiate, B.FI., v. 89.
Mr. P. A. O'Shanesy points out that this plant may be made to yield a
very delicate perfume. It is a very variable species.
Queensland and Northern Australia.
6. Backhousia Citriodora, F.v.M., N.O., Myrtaceae, B.FI., iii.,270.
" Scrub Myrtle." " Native Myrtle."
The foliage of this tree is deliciously lemon-scented, like the Scented
Verbena (Lippia citriodora). The essential oil from the leaves has been
tested for scenting soaps, and has answered the purpose well. The dried
leaves, put in little bags (such as are employed for holding lavender
flowers) give, for a long time, a very pleasant odour to the contents of
linen-presses, &c.
Queensland.
7. Eucalyptus maculata, Hook, var. citriodora, (Syn. E. citriodora, Hook,
f.); N.O., Myrtaceae, B.FI., iii., 257.
" Citron, or Lemon-scented Gum." The aboriginal name is "
Urara."
The leaves emit a delightful odour of citron, especially when rubbed. They
should be used to perfume and protect clothes-presses. The Rev. J. E.
Tenison-Woods states they are certainly a specific against cockroaches and
" silver-fish" insects, which are great domestic pests.
Queensland.
8. Guettarda speciosa, Linn., N.O., Rubiaceae, B.FI., iii., 419.
The flowers of this tree are exquisitely fragrant. They come out in the
evening, and have all dropped on the ground by morning. The natives in
Travancore distil an odoriferous water from the corollas, which is very like
rose-water. In order to procure it they spread a very thin muslin cloth over
the tree in the evening, taking care that it comes well in contact with the
flowers as much as possible. During the heavy dew at night the cloth becomes
saturated, and imbibes the extract from the flowers. It is then wrung out in
the morning. The extract is sold in the bazaars.
Queensland and Northern Australia.
9. Hierodoa spp, (See " Grasses,")
These possess a powerful odour of " Coumarin."
10. Humea elegans, Smith, (Syn. Calomeria amanthoides, Vent J; N.O.,
Compositae, B.FI. iii., 589.
The whole plant on being bruised emits a delightful scent, so
overpowering as sometimes to produce headache. Dr. George Bennett
(Gatherings of a Naturalist) is of opinion that a very valuable perfume
might be obtained from it.
Victoria and New South Wales.
11. Murraya exotica, Linn., (Syn., M. paniculata, Jack) ; N.O., Rutaceae,
B.FI. i., 369.
"China Box."
This bush, which is also a native of India and China, has such delightfully
fragrant flowers that it might be worth while to cultivate it as a perfume
plant.
Queensland.
12. Pandanus odoratissimus, Linn. (Syn., P. spiralis, R.Br.); N.O.,
Pandaneae, B.F1., vii., 148.
" Screw Pine." The natives of India are fond of the scent of
this flower, which they place amongst their clothes. The male flowers are
exceedingly fragrant, and are much appreciated by the Burmese. The Hindus
use them in certain of their religious ceremonies. (Cyclop of India.)
Northern Australia.
13. Pittosporum undulatum, Vent., N.O., Pittosporeae, B.F1.
" Native Laurel." " Mock Orange." " Bart-bart
" of the aboriginals of the Karnathun tribe, Lake Tyers (Victoria).
This tree is well worth cultivating on a commercial scale for the sake of
the sweet perfume of its flowers.
All the colonies except South and Western Australia.
14. Pterigeron liatroides, Benth., (Syn. Pluchea ligulata, F.v.M.;
Streptoglossa Steetzii, F.v.M. ; Erigeron liatroides, Turcz.); N.O.,
Composite, B.FI., iii., 532.
This plant yields a delicious perfume, and therefore may be deemed
worthy of cultivation by the horticulturist or flower-farmer, Western and
South Australia, and New South Wales.
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