955. Essence of Lemons

955.    Essence of Lemons. From oil of lemon, as essence of almonds. (See No. 943 (Essence of Almonds; Essence of Bitter Almonds; Essence of Peach-kernels; Almond Flavor).) For this purpose the oil should have been recently expressed, and preserved from the air. A dash of essence of musk improves it as a perfume, but not as a flavoring essence. Oil of lemon is popularly called essence of lemons.

956. Concentrated Essence of Musk

956.     Concentrated Essence of Musk. Take of grain-musk (Tonquin or Chinese), 1 ounce avoirdupois; boiling distilled water, i Imperial pint; digest them together in a close vessel, with frequent agitation, until quite cold, then add 31/2 pints rectified spirit (95 per cent.), 1/2 fluid ounce liquor of ammonia (.880-.885 specific gravity), and, having closely corked or stopped the vessel and securely tied it over with bladder, digest the whole for 1 or 2 months, with frequent agitation, in a room exposed to the sun, in summer, or in an equally warm situation in winter. Lastly, after repose, decant the clear portion, and, if necessary, filter it. A little essence of ambergris is commonly added to the filtrate, or, when this is not done, 1 to 2 drachms of ambergris are put into the vessel before closing it, and after adding the spirit. Very fine. The residuum is treated with fresh spirit for an inferior quality.

957. Fine Essence of Musk

957.    Fine Essence of Musk. Take 1/4 ounce finest grain-musk, civet and ambergris each 1 drachm, strongest essence d'ambrette, 1/2 pint. Instead of the ambergris, 1 to l1/2 fluid ounces of essence of ambergris may be added after decantation. The quantity of civet ordered should on no account be exceeded. This produces the finest quality of the Paris houses.

958. Common Essence of Musk

958.      Common Essence of Musk. Take 3/4 ounce (avoidupois) grain-musk, 1 quart (Imperial) rectified spirit (95 per cent.), and 2 fluid ounces finest essence of ambergris; digest, Ac, as before. Excellent; but greatly inferior to the others. Essence of musk is an agreeable and powerful perfume, and is greatly esteemed in the fashionable world. Its odor is so durable that articles scented with it will retain the fragrance for years. The product of each of the above is of very fine quality; but that of No. 957 is the very finest that is made, and such as is seldom sold, except by the high-class perfumers, who obtain for it a very high price. It is powerfully and deliciously fragrant.

959. Best Way to Prepare the Essence of Musk and Ambergris

959.    Best Way to Prepare the Essence of Musk and Ambergris. The best vessel for preparing essence of musk, as well as of ambergris, is a strong tin-bottle with a nicely rounded mouth and neck. Great care should be taken to cork it perfectly close, and, after this is done, to tie it over securely with wet bladder. The bottle should not be set in the full sunshine, but only in a position warmed by it; and in no case should the digestion be of shorter duration than three or four weeks, as otherwise much fragrant matter will escape solution. The addition of 1/2 to 1 fluid drachm, per pint, of liquor of ammonia, or of liquor of potassa (the first is greatly preferable), increases the solvent power of the spirit and vastly increases the fragrance of the essence. A few grains of salt of tartar (carbonate of potash) are sometimes added with the same intention; but this addition is objectionable, as it does not effect the object in view, whilst it occasions partial decomposition of the mixture. To facilitate the action of the menstruum, and to make the most of the ingredients, it is best to rub down the musk, Ac, with a little powdered glass, sand, or lump sugar, as noticed under "Essence of Ambergris." Filtration and exposure to the air should, if possible, be avoided.