289 



Extract of a Letter, from E. O'Reiley, Esq. dated Amherst, 6th March, 

 1842, to J. M'Clellanb, Assistant Surgeon, Calcutta. 



Camphor. 



The bottle herewith sent is part of a quantity of aboutl20$s. procured 

 by evaporation from the tops of a plant growing most profusely 

 throughout the jungles on this coast, (specimen in flower enclosed in 

 the box.) The attention of a few Chinese was attracted to it some 

 months ago, by my enquiry whether the same plant was common in 

 China, and to what purpose it was applied. I was informed that the 

 plant, which is an annual, was cultivated in some of the seaward pro- 

 vinces of China, and that the salt procured from it formed a part of 

 their Materia Medica, being considered efficacious in cases of rheumatic 

 pains and other diseases requiring emollients. 



The whole of the apparatus employed in procuring the salt is simple 

 in the extreme, consisting merely of a large pan into which the tops are 

 put, with a sufficient quantity of water to cover them over, in which is 

 placed a cylindrical casing of wood, being smallest at the top, on which 

 is fitted a large shallow brass basin. A gradual heat is then applied, 

 and the steam rising through the casing is condensed on the surface 

 of the basin, which being constantly supplied with cold water, causes a 

 crystallization of the salt ; this method is so rude, that it is impossible to 

 form any correct idea as to the proportional parts of salt in a quantity 

 of the plants, but judging from its very strong odour when rubbed 

 between the fingers, it may be supposed to contain a very much larger 

 proportion than is procured by the method just stated ; should it prove 

 to be of any considerable value, or at all approaching to that placed 

 on it by the Chinese who made it, the yearly produce of these jungles 

 would amount to a very considerable item. On this head I shall be 

 most happy to hear from you. 



Isinglass. 



The box contains about I2lbs. of this article, prepared by the method 

 you gave sometime ago, when specimens of the fish were forwarded; 

 this lot will enable you to form a better opinion of the article than the 

 former specimens. I have paid 4 Rupees for the quantity now sent, to 

 induce a greater interest being taken in it by the Burmese fishermen, and 

 as the article obtains a footing, as being in large request, I have no 

 doubt of being able to procure it by and bye at a considerable reduc- 

 tion, say at least one-third less than the price now paid. 



