CAMPHOR-TREE. |jj 
Every part of the tree, particularly the flowers, possess the smell and taste of 
camphor in a high degree; but, it is especially from the roots, that this substance 
so useful in medicine, is obtained. According to Kaempfer and Thimberg the 
method of extracting camphor in the provinces of Saltzuma and the island's of 
Uotha, in Japan, is to chop up the roots and wood of the tree, and boil them in 
water in an iron vessel, with an earthen head, containing a quantity of straw 
adapted to it, on which the camphor condenses, or sublimes. But the method 
practised in China, from the statements of the Abbe Grosier, Dentrecolles, and 
Davies, appears to be somewhat different. The chopped branches are steeped in 
water, and afterwards boiled, until the camphor begins to adhere to the stick, or 
spatula, used in stirring. The liquid is then strained, and by standing, the cam- 
phor concretes. Alternate layers of dry earth, finely powdered, and of this 
camphor, are then placed in a copper basin, to which another inverted one is 
luted, and by this means sublimation is effected. 
There are two kinds of crude camphor known in commerce, namely, the Dutch 
or Japan camphor, and the China, Formosa, or ordinary crude camphor. The 
former is brought from Batavia, and is said to be the produce of Japan. It is 
imported in tubs covered by mating, and each surrounded by a second tub, 
secured on the outside by hoops of twisted cane. Each tub contains from one 
hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds. It consists of pink-coloured grains, 
which, by their natural adhesion, form various-sized masses. It differs from the 
ordinary crude camphor in having larger grains, in being cleaner, and in sub- 
liming, usually at a lower temperature. The ordinary crude camphor is imported 
from Singapore, Bombay, &c., in square chests, lined with lead foil, and con- 
taining from one hundred and forty to one hundred and seventy pounds. It is 
chiefly produced in the island of Formosa, and is brought by the Chin-Chew 
junks in very large quantities to Canton, whence foreign markets are supplied. It 
consists of dirty grayish grains, which are smaller than those of Dutch camphor. 
Its quality varies being sometimes wet and impure, but occasionally it is as fine 
as the Dutch kind. 
Liquid camphor and Sumatra or Borneo camphor, are obtained from the Dryo- 
balanops aromatica, a large tree growing in Sumatra and Borneo. The liquid 
camphor or camphor oil is obtained by making deep incisions in the tree, from 
which the liquid oozes out, and is received in bamboos, or other convenient uten- 
sils. It is occasionally imported in tin canisters, and sometimes consists of a per- 
fectly limpid, transparent fluid, but most usually it is more or less tinged with 
yellow or brown. Its odour is somewhat analogous to that of the oil of cajuputi, 
combined with the odour of camphor and cardamoms. Sumatra or Borneo cam- 
phor, called by the natives Kapurbarus, is found in the natural fissures or crevices 
of the wood, and occurs in small, white, transparent fragments of crystals, of a 
camphoraceous odour, and a hot taste. It is much esteemed by the Chinese ; 
but, from its exorbitant price, it rarely enters into their foreign commerce.* 
Camphor is also found in numerous herbs, especially peppermint, rose-mary. 
thyme, lavender, &c. The quantity, however, thus produced, is too small to 
yield a commercial supply. 
* See Pereira's Materia Medica, ii., pp. 243, 244 et 655. 
