DIPTEROCARPEA, © 199 
is presumed they contain concreted camphor, which is found 
in small whitish flakes, situated perpendicularly in irregular 
_ veins, in and near the centres of the trees. The tree is cut 
down, divided into junks and carefully divested of its camphor. 
The camphor is repeatedly washed and soaked in soapy water 
- to clean it. hen clean it will sink in water, and have a white 
glossy smooth appearance, tending to transparency After 
washing it is passed through three sieves of different mesh, so 
as to be divided into head, belly, and foot camphor : certain 
proportions of each compose the chests made up for the 
China market, where they are sold for £350 sterling nearly. 
An inferior kind is made by boiling down the liquid oil. 
Sumatra affords annually from 15 to 20 piculs of 133% lbs. each, — 
and more oil than there is at present a. demand for.” (As. 
_ Researches, iv., 19.) Fliickiger and Hanbury in the Pharmaco- 
| graphia say :—*‘ The produce of a single tree does not; it is 
supposed, often exceed 11 Ibs. A good proportion of the 
small quantity produced is consumed in the faneral rites of 
_ the Batta princes. The camphor which is expurted is eagerly © 
_ bought for the China market, but some is also sent to Japan, 
Laos, Cochin China, Cambodia and Siam.” In India it is 
chiefly used by the Jains to prepare an Abir or sacrificial 
_ powder called Vasakshepa ; this powder consists of sandal-— 
_ wood, saffron, Borneo camphor and musk 
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__ Dr. Stockman has proved that Borneo camphor has exactly 
¥ the same physiological action as laurel camphor. He points 
_ out that laurel camphor, borneol and menthol form a group of . 
_ substances very closely allied to each other in physiological 
action, borneol resembling very nearly monobromide of 
_ camphor in this respect. All are closely related to the alcohol — 
_ group in their physiological effects, menthol approaching the 
latter most nearly ; but as the. number of hydrogen atoms, — 
Borneol is also a less irritating substance 
