The benzoic acid, or flowers of benzoin, are obtained from it by sublimation. A quantity of the powdered gum, put into an earthen basin, a thick paper cone being tied round the rim, and heat applied, the acid will leave the resin, and be condensed on the inner side of the cone. Bucholz (_Bulletin de Pharmacie_, v. p. 177) has given a process for obtaining it by means of alcohol, and some others have been adopted. By boiling four ounces of the gum in powder in a sufficient quantity of water, with three drachms of carbonate of soda, the acid will unite with the alkali, and form a benzoate of soda, which, when filtered and decomposed by sulphuric acid, will yield the benzoic acid. Five drachms of acid will be thus obtained. Lime has been used in the same manner as soda, and the acid separated by the addition of muriatic acid. Flowers of benzoin may be used in the place of the gum; using, however, but a small quantity. They will communicate the same odour to fire as the benzoin. The flowers, or acid of benzoin, are so inflammable, as to burn, with a clear yellow flame, without the assistance of a wick. It is soluble in ardent spirits, in oils, and in melted tallow. The compounds, which it forms with them, are also inflammable. Benzoic acid is considered to be an oily acid, and contains, no doubt, a very large proportion of hydrogen. _Sect. XVII. Of Storax Calamite._ Storax is the most fragrant of all the balsams. It is afforded by the _styrax officinalis_, a tree which grows in the Levant. It is sometimes in red tears. Common storax is in large cakes, and brittle and soft to the touch. This is more fragrant than the other sort, but is frequently adulterated with saw-dust. It is soluble in alcohol, and is said to yield some benzoic acid. Styrax is a different substance; a semi-liquid juice obtained from the _liquidambar styraciflua_. Its odour is less agreeable than that of storax calamite. It is used in odoriferous fire, in _pastes_, in the composition for _scented vases_, and the like. _Sect. XVIII. Of Essential Oils._ Essential or volatile oils, as well as the raspings of red cedar, dried rosemary, and other fragrant plants, are all used in the preparation of odoriferous fire. In some preparations, the _oil of roses_ is employed; in others, the essence of bergamot, of lemon, &c. which, being very volatile, evaporate in a moderate heat, and, being also inflammable, may assist in the combustion. In the case of the raspings of cedar in particular, it also communicates a peculiar appearance to the flame.