nd with the 'origanum oil' produced in Smyrna, and
that consequently a sudden increase in production in Cyprus might lead
to a considerable fall in price. The Cyprus oil has, however, the
advantage that it is very rich in the odorous and antiseptic constituent
carvacrol, and it is probably due to its richness in this constituent,
as revealed by the analyses made at the Imperial Institute, that the
comparatively high prices realised for these consignments were obtained
at a time when 'red thyme oils' were selling at lower rates. It would be
advantageous if a refined white oil could be prepared by some simple
method from this material, as this probably would fetch an enhanced
price, and be applicable to other purposes for which the 'red oil' is
unsuitable."

Until 1910 the distillation was made by the Department, but since then
it has been undertaken by private contract, permission being given to
collect the wild plant from the forest. The annual production is now
about 2,750 lb., and the price has steadily risen from about 3_s._ per
lb. to 8_s._ 6_d._ per lb. at the present time. But whereas the cost of
transport to London before the war was L8 per ton, it has risen to the
prohibitive rate of L200 per ton, and the 1917 oil still remains in
store at Alexandria.

The supply of the wild plant is limited and its cultivation is under
consideration.

The following table shows the exports of origanum _oil_ in recent years:

Year. Quantity.
_lb._

1902 2,092
1903 No distillation
1904 2,410
1905 1,463
1906 2,200
1907 1,745
1908 2,051
1909 1,530[4]
1910 2,842
1911 2,276
1912 2,230
1913 2,455
1914 3,776
1915 3,709
1916 2,756
1917 2,696
1918 2,066

_Marjoram Oil_

This is not yet a regular product, but samples of locally produced oil
have been examined at the Imperial Institute and pronounced to be
superior to European marjoram oil and about equal in value to sweet
fennel oil (see BULLETIN OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, vol. xi. 1913, p.
50). It is distilled from a plant which is abundant in the forests of
Kyrenia and Paphos, and which has been referred by Dr. Stapf to _O.
majoranoides_, Wild., and by Mr. Holmes to _O. Maru_, Linn. The market
is, however, restricted.

_Laurel Oil_

Samples of oil distilled from the leaves of _Laurus nobilis_ which were
examined at the Imperial Institute were found to have a