Approximately 80 samples of Sri Lankan nutmeg oil (both industrially produced and laboratory distilled) were examined for relative density, optical rotation and refractive index and also analysed by gas chromatography. Results showed that although the oil resembled the West Indies type nutmeg oil rather than the East Indies type it had distinguishing features. Results of studies on industrially produced samples were as follows: relative density (3OoC/3O0C), 0.8690t0.0085; optical rotation (30"C), 31.722.7'; refractive index (30"C), 1.4726i:0.0024; sabinene content, 38.9*12.7%; myristicin content, 2.3% (mean); and elemicin content, 1.2% (mean). On the basis of these studies there appears to be a strong case for revising the Sri Lanka Standard for nutmeg oil, Sri Lanka, which at the present time lays down specifications similar to that of the East Indies oil.

: The essential oil content and the tlc phenolic profiles of the leaves of seedlings, 5 -year old and adult nutmeg, IVyrismfca.f?agnmr plants were studied. Significantly higher essential oil content and the absence of two phenolic spois were observed in female adult plants when m~npared with males. Differences in a -pinene, terpinolene, a -terpinine, myrcene and gemnyi acetate content were also seen. Using other criteria described for the sexing of nutmeg seedlings to identify suspect male and female plants, it is shown that essential oil content and the phenolic profiles may also be used for this purpose.