MAGNOLIACE^E 501
Specific gravity at 15°
Distils at 3 mm. pressure
Acid value
Ester „ ...
Saponification value1-001
. from 40° to 150° C.
0-35
20-0
20-35
A very small amount distilled at 40°, and on analysis was found to
contain both sulphur and nitrogen. It is an evil-smelling compound, and
is probably related to the alkaloid cheiranthin.
Crystalline semi-carbazones were prepared, which, when decomposed
by oxalic acid, yielded aldehydes and ketones, having odours recalling those
of the ketone, irone, and of anisaldehyde. The oil, freed from these bodies
and saponified, was then treated by the phthalic acid method, and a mixture
of alcohols separated. Crystalline diphenyl-urethanes were obtained,
which melted sharply at 50° and at 82°, thus proving the presence of
nerol and geraniol. The presence of benzyl alcohol was proved by the
preparation of a phthalic acid ester melting at 106°. Linalol is also
probably present in traces. From the saponification residues traces of a
phenol (probably para-cresol) lactone (of coumaric acid ?), acetic and
salicylic acids were obtained. Indol and methyl-anthranilate were also
isolated in a state of purity.
MAGNOLIACE^,
STAR-ANISEED OIL.The aniseed oil of commerce, imported from the Far East, is distilled
from the fruit of Illicium verum, and is known as star aniseed oil. A
certain amount of aniseed oil is also distilled from Pimpinella Anisum,
one of the Umbelliferse, and is described here as a matter of convenience.
Pimpinella anisum is indigenous to Asia Minor and Egypt, and is also
cultivated in Eussia, Spain, Malta, Greece, Bulgaria, Chili, India, and
several other parts of Europe. Eussia produces the greater part of the
anise fruit used for distillation, after which Asia Minor comes chiefly into
consideration.
In Eussia, from which country most of the fruit used for distillation
is obtained, farmers in the districts of Walcysk, Birjutschensk and
Ostrog, and to a less extent Podolia, Kursk, Charkow, Tauria and
Cherson, cultivate the plant, a portion of the fruit being distilled on the
spot, or used for domestic purposes, the remainder being exported. The
commercial centres of the anise trade are Krassnaja and Alexejewskaja.
The yield of oil varies from about 2 to 3 per cent., rarely, a little higher.
The star anise (Badiane) is chiefly found in Southern China and
Tonkin. The earliest reliable information as to the actual habitat of this
plant was furnished by Mr. Piry in his report on the trade at Pakhoo for
the years 1878-79, in which he states that the fruit is brought for export
to Kin Chow and Pakhoi from Kwang-Si, chiefly from Lung-chow on
the borders of Annam, and Po-S6 on the West Eiver close to Yunnan.
The oil is chiefly distilled by the natives, and sold to merchants who
transfer it to Hong-Kong, where it is bought by the exporters and sent
to Europe, sometimes in a grossly adulterated condition. According to
Simon, the adulteration is practised not by the distillers, but by the
" Bande Noir," as he terms the Chinese merchants who combine to buy
the oil from the native distillers, keeping them more or less under their
dominion, by means of money advances in the early part of the season.