LAURINEM 201 



distributed at once to the sliopkeej)ers before it has time to lose 

 weight by drying. It is sold at the same price as the crude 

 article, the refiner's profit being derived from the introduction 

 of water. Experiments by Olautrian {Beriehte, xxiv., 2612) 



have proved that camphor possesses considerable hygroscopic 

 properties which are not shared by thymol, 40 grains of cam- 

 phor will absorb "054 gram of water from air saturated with 

 aqueous vapour at 16*^0. The absorption oE moisture by cam- 

 phor would appear to be a purely physical phenomenon. Both 

 China and Japan crude camphor is imported into Bombay, 

 but the latter is preferred, as it is cleaner. From Japan is 

 also imported refined camphor in large square cakes an inch 

 and a half thick, with a hole in the centre ; it is nearly equal 

 in quality to that refined in Europe. The method of 

 obtaining crude camphor in Japan will be found fully described 

 by H. Oishi in the Journ. Soc. Chem Ind.^ 1884, p. 353. Cam- 

 phor is largely used in India in performing the arti (^^rfr), a 

 ceremony performed in adoration of some god by waving, in a 

 circle before the imige, a platter containing a five-wicked burn- 

 ing lamp, flour, and incense ; the lamp being fed with camphor. 

 The same rite, only substituting a bridegroom for the idol, is 

 called ciria^ and is performed on the arrival of the bridegroom 

 at the house of the bride. In Sanskrit this light is called 

 ^KTft^ (aratrika). 



Description • — Crude China camphor is in small dirty- 

 white or brown grains, more or less moist from the presence of 

 water ; it arrives in tin-lined boxes which hold one quintal. 

 Crude Japan camphor is also in grains, which often adhei-e 

 together in masses ; it is dry and often quite free from dis- 

 coloration ; sometimes it has a pinkish tinge. It is imported 

 in double butts. 



Eefined Japan camphor is imported in tin-lined, cases, which 

 hold about 90 lbs. Bombay refined camphor is in porous cakes 

 a quarter of an inch thick, and contains much water. Owing 

 to the method of preparation already described, the cakes have 

 no particular form. 



iri.-26 



