A quantity of the fresh herb partly in bloom, including the flowering
tops, branches, and leaves, was distilled by steam in the vicinity
of Los Angeles, Cal., in April, 1908, and yielded 0.75 per cent
of oil. The oil was nearly colorless and possessed a penetrating,
camphoraceous, yet agreeable odor, with a bitter, camphorlike taste. At
24° C. the specific gravity was found to be 0.9144; specific rotation
A_{D} = +30.2°; re-fraction at 24° C., 1.4682. The oil was soluble with
clear solution in 1½ volumes of 70 per cent alcohol, becoming turbid
with 3½ volumes or over.
[Illustration: +Fig. 2.+--Flowering top of a plant of black sage.]