The Royal Society of Edinburgh received from Dr. Monro the following
account of the manner in which this costly perfume is prepared in
the east. Steep a large quantity of the petals of the rose, freed
from every extraneous matter, in pure water, in an earthen or wooden
vessel, which is exposed daily to the sun, and housed at night, till
a scum rises to the surface. This is the _ottar_, which carefully
absorb by a very small piece of cotton tied to the end of a stick.
The oil collected, squeeze out of the cotton into a very diminutive
vial, stop it for use. The collection of it should be continued,
whilst any scum is produced.