MONOCHLAMTDE^. 631 



which process it is termed refined camphor. Camphor is a slearoptene or 

 solid volatile oil. This kind of camphor is commonly distinguished from other 

 camphors by the name of Laurel, Common, or Officinal camphor. In proper 

 doses, camphor produces exhilatating and anodyne effects, for which purposes 

 it is principally employed medicinally, la large doses it is narcotic and 

 poisonous. 



Fersea.—The fruit of P. gratissima is in much repute in the West Indies. 

 It is commonly known as the Avocado Pear. P. indica, a native of Madeira, 

 yields a timber somewhat resembling mahogany. 



Mespilodaphne pretiosa, a native of Brazil, yields the aromatic bark called 

 Casca pretiosa by the Portuguese. 



Cryptocarya moschata, yields a kind of false or wild nutmeg termed the 

 Brazilian Nutmeg. 



Agathophyllum aromaticum also yields a kind of false nutmeg, which is the 

 Clove-Nutmeg of Madagascar or Ravensara nut. It is used as a spice, 



Acrodiclidium Camara yields another false nutmeg, called in Guiana the 

 Ackawa or Camara Nutmeg. Neither of the above wild nutmegs are im- 

 ported into this country. 



Nectandra — N. Rodia:i\s the Bibiru, Sipiri, or Greenheart-Tree, the wood 

 of which is very hard and durable, and has been employed in ship-building, &c. 

 Beeberu or bibiru bark is obtained from the above tree. It has been used of 

 late years in medicine as a substitute for the cinchona-barks, possessing like 

 them, tonic, antiperiodic, febrifugal, and astringent properties. These pro- 

 perties are due to the presence of a peculiar alkaloid called Biberine or Be. 

 beerine which has nearly similar medicinal properties to quina, and is 

 employed by itself, and in the form of a sulphate, as an economical substitute 

 for sulphate of quinine. It is, however, generally regarded as less powerful. 

 The seeds of the Bibiru contain starch ; this is mixed with an equal quantity 

 of a species of decayed astringent wood, and a similar proportion of cassava 

 pulp, and made into a kind of bread, which is used as food by the Indians, 

 Nectandra cymbarum ot Nees, the Ocotea amara of Martins, jields the sub- 

 stance called Brazilian Sassafras. The cotyledons of N. Puchury major and 

 minor are imported from Brazil under the name of Sassafras- Nuts or Pi- 

 churim Beans, which are much esteemed as a flavouring for chocolate. During 

 the continental war they were used as a substitute for nutmegs. 



Dicypellium caryophyllatum yields Brazilian Clove-Bark or Clove Cassia 

 Bark. It is occasionally imported, and used for mixing with other spices. 



Oreodaphne. — Several species of this genus yield valuable timber, thus the 

 Sweet-wood is the produce of 0. exaltataj the Til of the Canaries, of O.fcetens; 

 and the Siraballi of Demerara, is obtained from a species of Oreodaphne or 

 some nearly allied genus. 



Sassafras The root and wood of 5. officinale under the name of Sassafras, 



are otiicinal. Sassafras is employed medicinally in this country and elsewhere, 

 as a stimulant, diaphoretic, and alterative. From it the volatile oil of Sas- 

 safras is obtained. Sassafras pith is used in America as a demulcent like 

 quince seeds, in place of which it is commonly employed in the United 

 States. 



Laurus nobilis, the Sweet Bay or Laurel, is said to be the Exrach or 

 Green Bay-tree of the Bible. It is the classic Laurel which was used by the 

 ancients to make crowns for their heroes. The truit is oflBcinal, and is known 

 under the name of Bay or Laurel berries. They are reputed to be aromatic, 

 stimulant, and narcotic, but they are very rarely used in medicine. By dis- 

 tillation with water they yield a volatile oil, commonly known as the volatile 

 oil of Sweet Bay. The substance called Expressed Oil of Bays or Laurel fat, 

 is obtained from both the fresh and dry fruits by pressing them after they have 

 been boiled in water. It is of a green colour, and a butyraceous consistence. 

 Laurel leaves have somewhat similar properties to the fruit. From their 

 aromatic properties they are used in cookery for flavouring. These leaves 

 must not be confounded with those of the poisonous Cherry Laurel, already 

 noticed (See Cerasus p. 535). Nothing certain is known of the source of the 

 oil imported from Demerara under the name of Native Oil of Laurel or 

 Laurel Turpentine. By some it is supposed to be derived from a plant of the 

 order Lauracese, by others from one of the Coniterae. 



Natural Order 200, CASSYTHACEiE. — The Dodder-Laurel 

 Order. — Diagnosis. — This is a small order which has beea 

 S S 4 



