190 



DICOTYLEDONS LAUilACE^ DIAGKAM 1 5 



Cinnamon-tree. 



the large quantity of prussic acid which they contain, which renders 

 the cordial called cherry laurel water, which is distilled from them, 

 a most dangerous specific. 



Cinnamon is the bark of a kind of laurel 

 which grows in the East Indies. The 

 young branches are cut down, and the 

 bark is peeled off and ,dried, after which it 

 is rolled into the form in which it is 

 known in commerce. 



Camphor is produced by a large kind 

 of laurel which is found in China and 

 Japan. The camphor exists in the sap ; 

 and when an incision is made in the 

 bark, the liquid which exudes dries, leav- 

 ing camphor. But this method of extracting it, which is similar to 

 that used to procure opium, would be too costly. The broken branches 

 and roots of the tree are simply boiled ; and the camphor then sepa- 

 rates from them. It is sent to Europe in greyish masses, which are 

 purified to give the camphor the whiteness which it possesses when 

 sold. One curious peculiarity which camphor exhibits is its be- 

 haviour when a small piece is put into water. If the water is very 

 pure, and the vessel very clean, the camphor at the surface becomes 

 agitated, and darts about in every direction ; but if the point of a 

 knife which is a little greasy is dipped into the water, the camphor 

 at once ceases its movements, and will not move again on the same 

 water. When the camphor itself has touched a slightly greasy 

 substance, these motions do not show themselves ; and it is there- 

 fore necessary for the success of this experiment that both the 

 vessel and the water should be as clean as possible. 



The nutmeg is the fruit of another tree of this family, which 

 likewise grows in tropical countries. 



