212 



leaves no residue. It is volatile, almost insoluble in water, but 

 readily so in alcohol, from which it is precipitated by the addition 

 of water. It floats on the latter fluid upon which small particles of 

 it rotate until oil is added. 



USE. 



One very interesting feature connected with this subject, is the 

 various uses to wliich this valuable product has been put at dif- 

 ferent periods. In the early ages it was regarded chiefly as a cost- 

 ly perfume, and it still finds a place in the perfumer's art. It after- 

 wards was included into the realm of medicine by the compilers of 

 the medieval pharmacoepia, together with many other ingredients 

 of often less delectable a nature and smaller claim to merit. To thia 

 day it is regarded as a specific for certain ailments by homoeopa- 

 thic and allopathic practitioners alike. Its chief use at present is 

 in the manufacture of the two niodern products, smokeless gun- 

 powder and celluloid, and to the makers of these articles is to be 

 attributed at once the growing demand for camphor and its quick- 

 ly advancing price. 



CAMPHOR WOOD. 



The wood of the camphor tree is in great demand for cabinet 

 work. It is of a beautiful yellow color and possesses a soft silky 

 texture. It has the property of resisting the ravages of insects 

 and its aromatic odor enhances its value for many purposes. The 

 tree has the additional quality of possessing hygienic value. This 

 has long been recognized in Japan where it is regarded with great 

 veneration and may frequently be seen growing in the vicinity of 

 temples. By no means the least valuable property of this article, 

 and one W|hich is probably little known, is its ability to improve 

 the germinating property of seed. A small piece of camphor dis- 

 solved in water will not only hasten and improve the vitality of 

 seed soaked in it, but is also of use in stimulating into growth, 

 cuttings of rose and other plants, which have been subjected to 

 long journeys. 



ORIGIN OF CAMPHOR. 



Camphor is produced by several d'iflferent species of trees, chief 

 among which is cinnamomim camphora^ a native of Eastern Asia, 

 This may be regarded as the camphor tree proper. It is an ex- 

 ceedingly handsome evergreen, which reaches a height of over 

 one hundred feet. This tree, the source of Formosa camphor, is 

 now being cultivated not only in Ceylon and India, but also \n 

 California and Florida and in many European countries, notably 

 France and Italy. It is said that a large tree will yield over a 

 thousand dollars worth of camphor. 



Another, though less known camphor yielding tree, is the 

 Dryobalanops cainphora of Sumatra, which produces what is 



