678 
THE CAMPHOR TREE. 
stamped out, but why it is not obvious, for during the 
twelve months it continued in operation, in consequence of 
all carcases being inspected, a marked improvement was 
discernible in the quality of the butcher meat exhibited in 
the shops, and the quantity of unsound meat seized and 
condemned as unfit for human food was greatly in 
excess of that confiscated during a like period before or 
since. 
Pleuro-pneumonia at present exists in five byres within 
the police bounds, and the first outbreak of foot-and-mouth 
in the dairies was reported on Friday last, so that, unless 
active steps are taken, w r e may look for its extension among 
the city byres. We regret also to learn that an outbreak of 
foot-and-mouth has been reported in a flock of sheep de- 
pasturing in a field beyond the police bounds. Persons 
having among their stock contagious pleuro-pneumonia, 
foot-and-mouth disease, scab, glanders, or any other con- 
tagious affection, are required, without delay, to report to 
the police or the inspector, and are not at liberty to remove 
their animals without a license. On Thursday, a dairy- 
keeper at the* West End was convicted before the sheriff and 
fined for concealing the existence of pleuro-pneumonia in her 
cows. We understand that the Local Authority are 
determined to enforce the provisions of the Act in every 
case.” 
THE CAMPHOR TREE. 
The Camphor Tree ( Dryobalanops camphora) is, according 
to Nature , one of the most interesting and important trees of 
Sumatra. This camphor attracted the attention of the earliest 
voyagers, and was then, as it is now, an important article of 
commerce with China and Japan, the people of those countries 
attributing to it extraordinary virtues, and paying a high price 
for it. The tree grows to a height of 100 or 130 feet, and 
forms a trunk 7 to 10 feet in diameter. The quantity of 
camphor contained in the trunks is very unequal; the young 
trees appear to contain little or none. It is said that, on an 
average, about nine trees are required to produce 100 lb. 
weight of crystallised camphor. It is obtained by cutting 
down the tree and dividing the wood into small pieces, in the 
divisions of which the camphor is found. It differs in the 
form of its crystals from the camphor of commerce — is harder, 
more brittle, and does not so readily condense. Great quan- 
tities are used by the Bataks for the preservation of the corpses 
f their chiefs. The trees are spread over a portion only of 
