616 poLYANDRiA MONOGYNiA. Shorea. 



2. S. camphor if era. R. 



Leaves ovate, acuminate, parallel, veined, smooth. 

 Flowers axillary. 



Camphor-tree of Sumatra, or that from which both the 

 native camphor, and camphor-oil are obtained on that 

 island. 



To John Prince, Esq. of Tappanooly, we are obliged 

 for the following memorandum. 



*' This tree grows spontaneously in the forests, and is 

 to be found in abundance from the back of Ayers Bongry, 

 as far north as Bacongan, a distance of twenty-five miles. 

 It may be classed among the largest trees that grow on 

 this coast, several within daily view, measuring six or 

 seven feet diameter. Before it acquires such dimen- 

 sions it is conjectured to be many years old, but it will 

 produce camphor at a much earlier period. A few of the 

 trees do not exceed two or two and a half feet in diameter. 

 The same tree which yields the oil, would have produced 

 camphor if unmolested, the former being supposed to be 

 the first stage of the latter's forming, and is consequent- 

 ly found in younger trees. The natives have no certain 

 means of ascertaining the tree which produces either the 

 one or the other, although tliere are some men styled 

 Toongoo Nir Kapoor, who pretend to that knowledge, 

 but they cannot give any reasons for their judgment be- 

 yond favourable dreams, w hich superstition has rendered 

 infallible; and it must be admitted that the success of 

 this description of people, in discovering and procuring, is 

 greater than that of the commonality of those who go in 

 search of the camphor ; the distinction may have arisen 

 from the peculiar favour of fortune to some individuals 

 over others, as in most other circumstances of life, from 

 whence they have acquired a celebrity, otherwise they 

 could give some rational reason for their superior suc- 

 cess. Both oil and camphor are found in the heart of the 

 tree, occupying a vacuum, which in others is frequently 



