CAMPHOR-TREE AT SUMATRA. 203 



strait, are the Hard-camphor [Dnjohalanops aroma- 

 tica) ; they are said to grow only here and in Borneo. 

 The camphor is obtained by cutting down the tree 

 and dividing the wood into small pieces, in the 

 division or natural cavities of which it is found in 

 crystalline masses. This tree is of quite a different 

 order to that of the Camphor-laurel (Camphora offici- 

 narum) which grows in China, Japan, and also in 

 India. The latter likewise grows to a great height ; 

 but, in order to obtain the camphor, it is necessary 

 that stem and branches be chopped into fragments 

 and undergo some chemical process. 



At one time we steamed so close to the coast of 

 Sumatra that we could distinctly see a little village, 

 consisting of wooden houses, ornamented with carving 

 and very picturesque high-pitched gables, either at 

 one end only, or at both, the roof considerably 

 dropping towards the middle, also smaller houses of 

 similar construction, built entirely of bamboo. This 

 was in a more southerly part of the island, which 

 was neither so densely wooded nor so unhealthy as 

 where the Hard-camphor-tree grows. 



The pace of the " Vice- Admiral Fabius " had 

 gradually become a crawl, and although only 540 

 geographical miles from Singapore, it was not until 

 daybreak of the fourth day, or at an average rate of 



