CAMPHORA. :, 1 5 



Tlie solubility of camphor in water is very small, 1:300 parts dissolv- 

 ing about one ; but even this small quantity is partially separated on 

 addition of some alkaline or earthy salt, as sulpliate of magnesium. 

 Alcohols, ethers, chloroform, carbon bisulphide, volatile and fixed oils 

 and liquid hydrocarbons, dissolve camphor abundantly. 



The sp. gr. of canqjlior at 0" C. and up to 6° is the same as that of 

 water ; yet at a somewhat higher temperature, camphor expands more 

 quickly, so that at 10° to 12" C. its sp. gr. is only 0092. 



In concentrated solution or in a state of fusion, camphor turns tlio 

 plane of polarization strongly to the right. Officinal solution of camphor 

 (Spiritiis Camplione) is too weak, and does not deviate the ray of light 

 to a considerable amount.^ Crystals of camphor are devoid of rotatory 

 power. 



The taste and odour of camphor are siii generis, or at least are com- 

 mon only to a group of nearly allied substances. Camphor is not 

 altered by exposure to air or light. It burns easily, affording a brilliant 

 smoky flame. 



Chemical Composition.— Camphor, C'H^'O, by treatment with 

 various reagents, yields a number of interesting products : thus when 

 repeatedly distilled with chloride of zinc or anhydrous phosphoric acid, 

 it is converted into Cymene or Cymol, C^^W\ a body contained in many 

 essential oils, or obtainable therefrom. . , . 



Camphor, and also camphor oil, when subjected to powerful oxidizing 

 agents, absorbs oxygen, passing gradually into crystallized Camphoric 

 Acid, CioRi^O* or 0^ll^\Q00l{y\ water and carbonic acid being at the 

 same time eliminated. Many essential oils, resins and gum-resins 

 likewise yield these acids when similarly treated. 



By means of less energetic oxidizers, camphor may be converted mto 

 Oxy-Camphor, C^oHi^O-, still retaining its original odour and taste 

 (Wheeler, 18G8). 



Commerce— Two kinds of crude camphor are known in the English 



wiarket, namely : v 1 vi, 1 i 



1. Foi-mosa or Cltima Garnishor, imported in chests lined with leaci 

 01- tinned iron, and weighing about 1 cwt. each ; it is of a hght brown, 

 small in grain, and always wet, as the merchants cause water to be 

 poured into the cases before shipment, with a view', it is Pr^tenaea 01 

 lessening the loss by evaporation. The exports of this camphor fiom 

 I^amsui in Formosa^ were in peculs (one pecul = l^"^-^ id. a\ap._ 

 "0-479 kilogrammes) as follows : 



1870 1871 1872 1875 1876 1877^ 



U,4S1 9691 10,281 7139 8,94 1-U'» 



^ The Shipments of camphor from Takow the other open port of 

 Formosa, are of insignificant amount. Phmks of camphoi wood are 

 iiow exported in some quantity from Tamsui. ^ ,iwnf a niukish 

 ^. 2. Japan Camphor is' lighter in colour and <^^^^^^t Ir/oneCithin 

 "'t ; it is also in larger grains. It arrives m t^"^^!, r^^the prlviou^ 

 the other) without m'tal lining, and hence is drier t^\^" ^^"^^^^^^^^ 

 jort ; the tubs hold about 1 cwt. It fetches a somewhat highci pnce 



than the Formosa camphor. , „ . p^,... :,, 



1 Plr,. r " r.tmii-i of Trade at (he Treaty FoHs in 



narm. Joum. 18 April 1874 830. o.-f«/"r 'is72, part. 2, p. 124. 



