244 01^ THE CAMPHIRE, OR CAMPHOR TREES OP THE ANCIENTS. 
Always give a good drainage ; lay a large piece of broken potsherd over the hole at the 
bottom of the pot and about an inch thickness of broken crocks, over which lay a few frag- 
ments of rough turf to prevent the soil from washing in and stopping the course of the 
water. Water freely at the roots, and syringe frequently when the plants are in a free 
state of growth, but moderately during the period of rest. 
Although the plants do not flourish so well without some degree of bottom-heat to the 
roots, yet the pots must never be plunged in a fermenting material which would commu- 
nicate too much moisture to the roots and destroy the tender fleshy fibres ; the best way is 
to grow them in proportionately large pots and place them on a flue or other medium for 
supplying heat, where the temperature will not be sufficiently hot to render the soil 
very dry. 
The atmosphere of the house should be tolerably humid, and the thermometer should 
never be allowed to sink below 65° Fahr. even in winter. 
Propagation is effected by cuttings ; as soon as the young wood is thoroughly ripe, take 
off the cuttings about six or eight joints long, trim off the lower leaves from the part to be 
placed in the soil ; and when thus prepared plant them in a pot of sand, and place the pot 
in a moist bottom-heat and cover with a glass. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE WOODCUT. 
a, Chinese Cassia, or Bastard Cinnamon {Cinnamomum i phor Tree of the Ancients. 
Cassia), or Cassia Tree of the Ancients. c, Dryohalanops Camphora, or Sumatra Camphor Tree, 
b, Camphor Laurel {Cinnamomum Camphora). The Cam- | 
ON THE CAMPHIRE, OR CAMPHOR TREES OF THE ANCIENTS. 
The singular volatile drug, sold in our shops under the name of Camphor or Camphire, 
and imported in such large quantities from China and the East Indies, is a production too 
well known to require any minute description here ; but the species of plant from which 
the ancients procured it, and which is so often mentioned in their writings as a plant of 
great value, is far from being well understood. 
From the ancient descriptions of this tree, it appears to have possessed a pleasant 
fragrance, and to have been suited for mixing with, or even forming nosegays, much in 
the same manner as we now use sprigs of myrtle. In the Sacred Writings, where it is 
several times mentioned, the very same idea is conveyed ; and it seems to have been 
cultivated as a very choice plant, in the pleasure-grounds of persons of eminence amongst 
the Jews, in similar localities with Spikenard [Nardostachys Jatamansi), Calamus (Andro- 
