178 
CAMPHOR TREE. 
The seed, after being pounded, was formed into a thick mass, by 
heating it with a small quantity of water in a large iron vessel. It was 
then put hot into a case formed to receive it. This consisted of four 
or five broad iron hoops, piled one over the other, and lined with 
straw. The seed was pressed down with the feet, as close as possible, 
till it filled the case, which was then transferred to the press. 
Pressure, however, is not the only, or, perhaps, the most common 
method of obtaining the tallow ; for it is sometimes procured by boiling 
the bruised seed in water, and collecting the oily matter which floats on 
its surface. This tallow, which has all the sensible properties of that 
from the animal kingdom, is used in the manufacture of candles. Du 
Halde informs us, that every ten pounds is mixed with three of some 
vegetable oil, and a sufficient quantity of wax to give it consist- 
ence. The candles also receive additional support from a coating of 
wax. They burn with great flame, emit much smoke, and quickly 
consume. 
In giving some account of the magnificent plants which often 
adorned the banks of the river, during our progress through the 
southern provinces of China, I must not omit to mention the 
camphor tree, Laurus camphora, growing to the size of our largest 
elms or oaks, in the provinces of Kiang-si and Canton. The Chinese 
affirm that it sometimes attains the height of more than three hun- 
dred feet, and a circumference greater than can be embraced by the 
extended arms of twenty men.* * We saw no instance of its magni- 
tude that at all justified this description. The largest that was 
measured by the persons of the Embassy was twenty feet in circum- 
ference, and about fifty feet high, and was chiefly remarkable for the 
size of its branches ; many of them being nine feet in circumference. 
The camphor obtained from this tree is less valued by the Chinese 
character, Hieou, signifies a mortar for separating the husk from rice, and enters into its 
name, because when the tree grows old, its root decays within, and becomes hollowed in 
the form of a mortar.— Du Halde, tom. iii. p. 504. 
* Lettres Edifiantes, tome xxii. p. 192. 
