Report of the governor general of the Philippine Islands. [1908]

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REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.

The first is completed and the second is well under way. It is
believed that it will have a considerable sale, not only on account of
its value for use in the schools, but because it will be desired by
many persons at isolated posts in the islands who will be glad to
vary the monotony of their lives by studying the birds about them.
Heretofore the study of Philippine birds has been possible only for
specialists. Hereafter it can be undertaken by anyone able to read
the English language.
THE CHEMICAL LABORATORY.
Several members of the staff of the chemical laboratory have been
kept engaged on problems of economic importance. Doctor Richmond has begun a study of the so-called Manila copal or almaciga,
extensively used in the manufacture of varnish, and his work will
materially aid in clearing up the confusion at present surrounding
the identity of the gums thus designated and of dammar.
Important work has been done on Philippine oils and in determining the food values of certain oil cakes and seeds. Doctor Bacon has
carried out investigations on Manila " elemi " and ilang-ilang, vetiver, lemon grass, and other plants producing valuable essential oils.
The writer found the fruit of PittosporLum resiniferum, commonly
known as the " petroleum nut," in the mountains of Benguet, and sent
a quantity of it to Manila. Upon distillation, 3 per cent of heptane,
a very valuable oil for cleaning delicate fabrics, and 7 per cent of
pinene, an oil employed in the manufacture of artificial camphor,
were obtained.
Boneol, a near relative of camphor, has been isolated from Blumea
balsamica, a common Philippine plant. A fragrant oil has been distilled from the leaves of Lantana. Other tropical perfume-yielding
plants are under investigation.
The Philippine Islands are already famous for their ilang-ilang oil,
which has never been successfully produced in any other country.
Other equally valuable oils are obtainable from plants and trees
native to the islands, and they should eventually form an important
article of commerce.
Numerous areas along the coasts of many of the islands are covered
with mangrove trees. An investigation of the barks from these trees
shows a variation in the content of tannin from 17 per cent for Mindoro barks to 24 per cent for those from Mindanao.
The public appreciation of the work of the chemical laboratory is
shown by the constantly increasing number of outside requests for
analyses of gums, resins, soils, waters, fertilizers, foodstuffs, oils,
rocks, and minerals. These applications have not been confined to
the Philippines, but have come from neighboring countries as well.
Reference has already been made to the large number of cement
tests. Numerous analyses of drugs suspected of containing opium
have been made in connection with the administration of the opium
law. Of carabao milk 270 analyses have been made for the bureau
of health. There have been sufficient water analyses to occupy nearly
all of the time of one chemist during the year.