1832.] ' ISLAND OF SUMATRA. 153 
as an article of commerce. Campliire was long known and ap- 
preciated by the Arabians before a European flag had been 
unfolded in the eastern seas. The camphire-tree is found only 
on the southern parts of the island; it grows without culture, and 
sometimes attains to an immense magnitude, measuring no less 
than fifteen feet in circumference. The wood of this tree is highly 
esteemed for many purposes, particularly by the trunk-makers, as 
the camphorated odour of the wood prevents the inroads of moths 
and other insects. From the interstices of the timber, when split 
open, the camphire is often taken in a dry concrete state ; while 
there is another tree, of a different species, which produces it in a 
liquid form. The camphire of this island has always commanded 
a high price, but is seldom met with in our country in an unadul- 
terated state. A great portion of that which is brought from India 
is, we believe, procured at Japan, of an inferior quality, being 
from a tree which abounds in all parts of that country, and known 
to naturalists by the name of laurus camphora. The camphire-oil, 
or rather liquid, as it is destitute of every oleaginous quality, is 
highly esteemed as a medicine by the natives, who use it as we 
do, for strains, swellings, and inflammations ; its extreme subtilty 
rendering it very penetrating to whatever part applied. It is not 
manufactured, nor does it undergo any preparation ; but is distilled 
as a volatile resin, from a species of the camphire-tree. 
Benjamin, or benzoin — caminyan — is also found in Sumatra, 
on the more northern parts of the island. It is generally denomi- 
nated a gum, although from its ready solubility in alcohol, it is 
more properly a resin. The tree is small, and not suitable for me- 
chanical purposes. In some parts near the seacoast, the natives 
have been in the habit of cultivating large groves of it, its growth 
being rapid, and affording a quick return for their labour. Much 
of this odoriferous resin is used in Catholic countries, where it is 
burnt as incense in their religious ceremonies. It is also used, 
we believe, in medicine ; and the ladies of wealth in Sumatra 
anoint their heads with a fragrant oil extracted from it. 
Cassia — covleet-manees. This species of cinnamon is found 
in the interior of the island, and is mostly procured in those dis- 
tricts which lie inland from Tappanooly ; it abounds also in 
Moosee, the country where the Palembang river takes its rise. 
The trees grow to the height of forty or fifty feet, with wide- 
