use.  Nitro-benzole, which is the chemical name for this artificial otto of almonds, has a different odor to the true otto of almonds, but it can nevertheless be used for perfuming soap.  Mr. Mansfield writes to me under date of January 3d, 1855:—­“In 1851, Messrs. Gosnell, of Three King Court, began to make this perfume under my license; latterly I withdrew the license from them by their consent, and since then it is not made that I am aware of.”  It is, however, quite common in Paris.

ANISE.—­The odorous principle is procured by distilling the seeds of the plant Pimpinella anisum; the product is the oil of aniseed of commerce.  As it congeals at a temperature of about 50 deg.  Fahr., it is frequently adulterated with a little spermaceti, to give a certain solidity to it, whereby other cheaper essential oils can be added to it with less chance of detection.  As the oil of aniseed is quite soluble in spirit, and the spermaceti insoluble, the fraud is easily detected.

This perfume is exceedingly strong, and is, therefore, well adapted for mixing with soap and for scenting pomatums, but does not do nicely in compounds for handkerchief use.

BALM, oil of Balm, called also oil of Melissa, is obtained by distilling the leaves of the Melissa officinalis with water; it comes from the still tap with the condensed steam or water, from which it is separated with the tap funnel.  But it is very little used in perfumery, if we except its combination in Aqua di Argento.

BALSAM.—­Under this title there are two or three substances used in perfumery, such as balsam of Peru, balsam of Tolu, and balsam of storax (also called liquid amber).  The first-named, is procured from the Myroxylon peruiferum; it exudes from the tree when wounded, and is also obtained by boiling down the bark and branches in water.  The latter is the most common method for procuring it.  It has a strong odor, like benzoin.

Balsam of Tolu flows from the Toluifera balsammum.  It resembles common resin (rosin); with the least warmth, however, it runs to a liquid, like brown treacle.  The smell of it is particularly agreeable, and being soluble in alcohol makes a good basis for a bouquet, giving in this respect a permanence of odor to a perfume which the simple solution of an oil would not possess.  For this purpose all these balsams are very useful, though not so much used as they might be.

“ULEX has found that balsam of Tolu is frequently adulterated with common resin.  To detect this adulteration he pours sulphuric acid on the balsam, and heats the mixture, when the balsam dissolves to a cherry-red fluid, without evolving sulphurous acid, but with the escape of benzoic or cinnamic acid, if no common resin is present.  On the contrary, the balsam foams, blackens, and much sulphurous acid is set free, if it is adulterated with common resin.”—­Archives der Pharmacie.

Balsam of storax, commonly called gum styrax, is obtained in the same manner, and possessing similar properties, with a slight variation of odor, is applicable in the same manner as the above.