LAURACEA, 657 
(Cassytha has scales instead of foliage leaves). Flowers generally 
hermaphrodite or sometimes unisexual (jig. 1033). Calyx 
inferior (fig. 1033), deeply 4—6-c'eft, ‘ 
coloured, in two whorls, the limb some- Fic. 1033. 
times obsolete; e«xstivation imbricate. 
Stamens perigynous, definite, some 
always sterile; jilaments distinct, the 
inner ones commonly with glands at their 
base (fig. 541, g, g) ; anthers adnate, 2—4- 
celled, 1, 1, dehiscing by recurved valves, 
v. Ovary superior (fig. 1033), 1-celled, 
with 1 or 2 suspended ovules. Fruit 
baccate or drupaceous. Seeds exalbumin- 
ous ; embryo with large cotyledons, and a_ Fi. 1033. Vertical section 
superior radicle. of the female flower of 
aa hs 5 Laurus nobilis, the Sweet 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are Bay. 
chiefly natives of tropical regions, but 
a few occur in North America, and one (Lawrus nobilis) in 
Europe. Illustrative Genera: — Cinnamomum, Burm.; Nec- 
tandra, Kottb. ; Laurus, Towrn. There are above 450 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of this order are almost 
universally characterised by the possession of aromatic pro- 
perties, which are due to the presence of volatile oils ; many of 
them are therefore employed as aromatic stimulants. Others 
are narcotic; some have sudorific properties ; and several are 
tonic, stomachic, febrifugal, or astringent. A few have edible 
fruits, and many yield valuable timber. 
Acrodiclidium Camara yields the False Nutmeg which is ca'led in Guiara 
the Ackawa or Camara Nutmeg. Its use is similar to that ef the other 
false nutmegs derived from plants of this order. (See Agathophyllum and 
Cryptocarya.) 
Agathophyllum aromaticum yields a kind of False Nutmeg, which is the 
Clove- Nutmeg of Madagascar or Ravensara Nut. Itis usedas aspice. (See 
Acrodiclidium.) 
Cinnamomum.—Cinnamomum Camphora or Camphora officinarum, the 
Camphor tree, is a native of China and Japan, and has been introduced into 
Java. Commercial camphor is derived entirely from the island of Formosa 
and Japan, the former being known as China or Formosa Camphor, and the 
latter as Japan or Dutch Camphor. Camphor is procured in a crude state 
from the wood by a rude process of sublimation, and as thus ob- 
tained is termed crude camphor. It is exported to Europe, &c., in this 
condition, where it is afterwards purified by subliming again, after which 
process it is called refined camphor, in which state it is cfficial in the British 
Pharmacopeia. Camphor is a stearoptene or solid volatile oil. This kind of 
camphor is commonly distinguished from other camphors by the name of 
Laurel, Common, or Official Camphor (see Dryobalanops, p. 475). The oil of 
camphor of commerce, formerly official in the United States Pharmacopeeia, 
is the volatile oil which drains from the crude camphor which is stored ni 
vats before shipment. It is used externally in rheumatism, &c. In proper 
doses, camphor produces exhilarating and anodyne effects, for which purposes 
it is principally employed in medicine. In large doses it is narcotic and 
poisonous. Cinnamon, which is so much employed as a condiment, and 
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