— 15 — 
The export of camphor is only allowed from ports indicated by the Govern- 
ment. The Government has also the right to restrict the production, when a 
disparity between supply and demand is to be feared. In the case of unrest 
in the native districts of Formosa, the camphor - production there may Se 
entirely prohibited. 
The crude camphor and camphor oil which at the time the Act comes 
into force are in possession of the camphor -producers or merchants in Old 
Japan, must also be delivered up to the Japanese Government. 
Contraventions of the law are punished with hedvy fines and with con- 
fiscation of the camphor which has been adulterated, or fraudulently held 
back, etc. 
The above are the more important regulations of the Act, which will no 
doubt shortly be supplemented by detailed working - instructions. 
It remains to be seen to whom the Japanese Government will 
entrust the exploitation of the monopoly. At present it appears to 
be somewhat in a dilemma. Many weighty voices have been heard 
against a new agreement with the old proprietors, but on the other 
hand, not many applicants will be found willing to accept the con- 
siderable risk connected with such an enormous enterprise. Up to 
this moment nothing is known on this point. 
It is as yet too early to express an opinion as to how the prices 
of camphor and camphor oil will shape themselves under the new 
conditions. 
With regard to the manufacture of artificial camphor, which is 
known to have been called into existence in America, we have heard 
nothing further since our last Report. This venture, therefore, does 
not seem to have as yet come into operation. 
We have been induced by repeated requests on the part of our 
clients to have the flash-point of light and heavy camphor oils deter- 
mined in an officially tested apparatus. The results were as follows: — 
Light camphor oil Heavy camphor oil 
Height of the barometer . . 750 mm 750 mm 
Temperature at commencement 18° 18° 
Flash-point 55° — 
As the tiash-point of heavy camphor oil could not be ascertained 
with Abel's apparatus, the oil was heated, for the purpose of firing, 
by means of an oil-bath, and the flash-point tested in the same manner 
from degree to degree. An actual firing with explosive extinction of 
the ignition flame could not be observed, but the oil developed vapours 
commencing at 160°, which could be fired by applying the ignition flame. 
The fact that terpineol is present in camphor oil has been proved 
by us many years ago^). At that time we confined ourselves for its 
1) Report April 1888, 9; Report April 1889, 8. 
