112 CAMPHOR. RHUBARB. 



quills, which are the Cinnamon we see in the shops. 

 That of Ceylon is more highly flavoured than what 

 is produced in any other country. The fruit of the 

 tree is shaped like an acorn, but not so large. A 

 kind of pigeon that feeds on it is very useful in 

 propagating the cinnamon tree in Ceylon ; for in 

 carrying the fruit to its young, it often drops it in 

 different places, where it takes root. When the 

 seeds are boiled in water, they yield an oil, that 

 hardens into a white substance, which has a de- 

 lightful smell, and is made into candles at Ceylon; 

 but only for the use of the king. 



The Lau'rus campho'ra, or Camphor-tree, is so 

 called from its affording what is called Camphor ; 

 a white brittle substance, which is so inflammable, 

 that it burns even on the surface of water. This 

 species grows in Japan, and is there a large and 

 valuable timber-tree; it is used in the best build- 

 ings, and for the masts of ships. 



Rhubarb, Rhe'um, is an herbaceous plant in the 

 order Trigynia of the ninth class. The common 

 sort, Rhe'um Rhapon'ticum, is a native of Turkey 

 in Asia, but is frequently cultivated in our gardens; 

 and we use the young leaf-stalks in spring for tarts. 

 The Chinese Rhubarb, Rhe'um palma'tum, and 

 another species that grows in Tartary, Rhe'um com- 

 pac'tum, have thick, fleshy, yellow roots, which are 

 much used in medicine. The Rhe'um palma'tum 

 is a remarkably quick-growing plant, and the stem 



