CASCARILLA.—­The bark is used in the formation of pastilles, and also enters into the composition known as Eau a Bruler, for perfuming apartments, to which we refer.

The bark alone of this plant is used by the manufacturing perfumer, and that only in the fabrication of pastilles.  The Cascarilla gratissimus is however so fragrant, that according to Burnett its leaves are gathered by the Koras of the Cape of Good Hope as a perfume, and both the C. fragrans and C. fragilis are odoriferous.  It behooves perfumers, therefore, who are on the look out for novelties, to obtain these leaves and ascertain the result of their distillation.

Messrs. Herring and Co., some years ago, drew the oil of cascarilla, but it was only offered to the trade as a curiosity.

CASSIA.—­The essential oil of cassia is procured by distilling the outer bark of the Cinnamomum cassia. 1 cwt. of bark yields rather more than three quarters of a pound of oil; it has a pale yellow color; in smell it much resembles cinnamon, although very inferior to it.  It is principally used for perfuming soap, especially what is called “military soap,” as it is more aromatic or spicy than flowery in odor; it therefore finds no place for handkerchief use.

CASSIE.—­

    “The short narcissus and fair daffodil,
    Pansies to please the sight, and cassie sweet to swell.”

    DRYDEN’S Virgil.

This is one of those fine odors which enters into the composition of the best handkerchief bouquets.

[Illustration:  Flower-buds of the Acacia Farnesiana.]

When smelled at alone, it has an intense violet odor, and is rather sickly sweet.

It is procured by maceration from the Acacia farnesiana.  The purified fat is melted, into which the flowers are thrown and left to digest for several hours; the spent flowers are removed, and fresh are added, eight or ten times, until sufficient richness of perfume is obtained.  As many flowers are used as the grease will cover, when they are put into it, in a liquid state.

After being strained, and the pomade has been kept at a heat sufficient only to retain its liquidity, all impurities will subside by standing for a few days.  Finally cooled, it is the cassie pomade of commerce.  The Huile de Cassie, or fat oil of cassie, is prepared in a similar manner, substituting the oil of Egyptian ben nut, olive oil, or almond oil, in place of suet.  Both these preparations are obviously only a solution of the true essential oil of cassie flowers in the neutral fatty body.  Europe may shortly be expecting to import a similar scented pomade from South Australia, derived from the Wattle, a plant that belongs to the same genus as the A. farnesiana, and which grows most luxuriantly in Australia.  Mutton fat being cheap, and the wattle plentiful, a profitable trade may be anticipated in curing the flowers, &c.