CANDLE 67$ 



CAMPHOR, OIL OF LAUREL. When the branches of Camphora offitinarum 

 are distilled with water, a mixture of camphor and a liquid essential oil is obtained. 

 This is the oil of camphor; it has a density of 0-910, and its composition is C 20 H I8 0. 

 By exposure to oxygen gas, or to the action of nitric acid, it absorbs oxygen, and 

 becomes solid camphor CB. U 0* (C U 'H I8 O). 



This is an esteemed article in the Eastern markets ; it undergoes no preparation, 

 and though named oil, it is rather a liquid and volatile resin. The natives of Sumatra 

 make a transverse incision in the tree to the depth of some inches, the cut sloping 

 downwards so as to form a cavity of the capacity of a quart ; a lighted reed is placed 

 in it for about 10 minutes, and in the space of a night the cavity is filled with this 

 fluid. The natives consider this oil of great use as a domestic remedy for strains, 

 swellings, and inflammations. 



Dr. Koyle states the trees are of large dimensions, from 2^ to 7 feet in diameter. 

 The same tree that produces the oil would have produced the camphor if unmolested, 

 the oil being supposed to be the first stage of the camphor's forming, and is conse- 

 quently found in younger trees. 



CAMPHOR STORM GLASSES. Glasses called usually storm glasses, and 

 sold as indicators of atmospheric changes. ' Storm glasses ' are made by dissolving 

 camphor 2 drachms, nitre 38 grains, sal-ammoniac 38 grains, water 9 fluid drachms, 

 rectified spirit of wine 1 1 fluid drachms. 



Plumose crystals form in the glass, and are said to condense and collect at the 

 bottom of the bottle on the approach of a storm, and to rise up and diffuse themselves 

 through the liquid on the approach of fine weather ; but Dr. Parrion thinks that 

 their weather-predicting qualities are false, and that light is the agent which, together 

 with temperature, influences the condition. 



CAM-WOOD. An African dye wood, shipped principally from Sierra Leone, in 

 short logs. Mr. G. Loddiges, in his Botanical Cabinet, figures the plant producing it 

 under the name of Bapkia nitida ; it is a leguminous plant, and has been introduced 

 into, and has flowered in this country. 



CAW AD A BAIiSAM. A product of the Abies balsamca, or balm of Gilead fir. 

 The finest variety of this balsam is used for mounting objects for the microscope. 

 See BALSAM. 



CANADA PLATES. Tin plates, so called by having been made for the 

 Canadian trade. 



CANADA RICE. The Zizania aquatica, a Canadian grass. 



CAM' AD A SUGAR. A dark sugar made from the sugar maple, Acer saccharinum. 



CANADA YELLOW ROOT. The Hydrastis Canadensis (Xanthorhisa), a 

 shrub growing in North America, so named from the colour of its root. It is in- 

 tensely bitter, hence it is used as a tonic medicine, and a good yellow dye is extracted 

 from its roots. 



CANARXUM COMMUNE. A small tree, growing in India, Ceylon, and 

 various parts of the Eastern Archipelago. It is probably the source of the concrete 

 resinous exudation commonly known as Gum Elemi. See EIJSMI. 



CANARY WOOD. A wood is imported into this country under the name of 

 Madeira mahogany, which appears to be this canary wood. It is the produce of the 

 Royal Bay, Laurus indica, a native of the Canary Islands. It is rather a light wood, 

 and of a yellow colour. 



CANASTER. An American tobacco, so called from the peculiar rush basket in 

 which it was imported. 



CANAUBA. The leaves of the canaiiba tree of Brazil (Copernicia cerifera) yield 

 a wax which appears to be the same as that produced by the Carnaiiba Palm. 



CAND or XCAND. A name in some mining districts for Fluor spar. 



CANDLE. (Ckandelle, Fr. ; Kerse, Licht, Ger.) Candles are either dipped or 

 moulded. As the quality of the candle depends on the material employed in its 

 manufacture, the first part of the tallow-chandler's process is the sorting of the tallow. 

 Mutton suet with a proportion of ox tallow is selected for mould candles, because it 

 gives them gloss and consistence. Coarser tallow is reserved for the dipped candles. 

 After being sorted, it is cut into small pieces, preparatory to being melted or rendered ; 

 and the sooner this is done after the fat is taken from the carcase the better, because 

 the fibrous and fleshy matters mixed with it promote its putrefaction. Tallow is too 

 commonly melted by a naked fire applied to the botton of the vessel, whereas it should 

 be done either in a cold set-pan, where the flame plays only round the sides a little 

 way above the bottom, or in a steam-cased pan. After being .fused a considerable 

 time, the membranous matters collect at the surface, constituting the cracklings used 

 sometimes for feeding dogs, after the fat has been squeezed out of it by a press. Tho 

 liquid tallow is strained through a sieve into another copper, where it is treated with 

 water at a boiling temperature, in order to wash it. After a while, when the foul 



