Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS not found. The text given here is from 'To correspondents', Australasian, 4 December 1869, p. 720 (B69.12.03). It is introduced by ''"Roses" (Belfast)' [now known as Port Fairy, Vic.]— Dr Von Mueller kindly gives the following reply to your question:—'.

Mr. Watts, the gentleman who exhibited perfumes at the Intercolonial Exhibition in great variety from native­ flowers, would give full practical Information, on this subject. The distillation may be effected with water, spirits, ether. Besides, in some instances the use of fats and fixed oils with the plants to be distilled aids in the isolation of the aroma; while, again, addition of various chemicals vastly changes, and frequently alone calls forth many exquisite scents. Much may be learnt on this subject from Mr. Rimmell's 'Book of Perfumes,' London, 1864.

2

i.e. Rimmel (1865). The British Library catalogue gives '1865 [1864]' as the date of publication; the title page states "MDCCCLXV". The preface is dated 15 December 1864.

Special information on the most advantageous processes of obtaining the essential oils by distallation might be obtained from Mr. Bosisto of Richmond, a gentleman who has given great practical attention to this subject. Some volatile oils are obtained by means of a powerful press. Various delicate odours of plants may be concentrated by repeatedly immersing the flowers, &c., in purified lard, liquefied by very gentle heat; or should the odour be very susceptible of suffering from even slight heat, as in the case of the mignonette and jasmine, then lard spread thinly over glass plates is employed to absorb the scent without heat at all, the flowers being placed in cases over which the glass plates fit. The frames employed in South France for this purpose are called "chassis," the process called "enflourage." Some odours, apt to suffer through distallation, can be extracted through alcohol, when, however, a coloured tincture will be formed, and again the "enflourage" fats can be macerated with alcohol, to withdraw from them the delicate perfumes. Several kinds of scent of our native plants may be used for perfume soaps. The work of Dr. Campbell Morfit, of New York, on perfumes, should be further consulted.

3

Probably Morfit (1847). Morfit also wrote a number of books on the manufacture of soap and candles.