COMMON SWEET BAY. 119 
country, though its utility has been fully established 
by some of the most eminent practitioners of the Con- 
tinent. It has often been found to relieve tooth-ache 
and rheumatism. Several preparations of camphor, in 
combination with other substances, are used in medi- 
cine, of which, perhaps, t'he most common is that with 
spirit of wine. To insects the effluvium of camphor is 
so disagreeable that they quickly avoid it. Hence it is 
customary to place pieces of it in collections of natural 
history, to prevent their destruction by these voracious 
little creatures. 
For carpenters' work the wood of the camphor tree 
is much in request. It is light and durable; and, in 
consequence of long retaining its aromatic smell, is not 
liable to be injured by insects. 
Plants of the camphor and cinnamon trees were 
captured, from the French, in 1782, by Admiral Rod- 
ney, and afterwards conveyed to Jamaica, and propa- 
gated there. 
Several shrubs and plants of our own country con- 
tain camphor in considerable quantity. The principal 
of these are rosemary, sage, lavender, and marjoram. 
130. The COMMON SWEET BAY (Laurus nobilis) is 
an evergreen shrub, which grows in Italy and other southern 
parts of Europe, and is principally celebrated as that ivhichwas 
anciently used to form the crown of victory among poets. 
Its leaves are of shining green colour, somewhat spear- 
shaped, and often waved towards the edge. The flowers appear 
in April and May, in clusters of three or four together on short 
footstalks. The corolla is in four segments of yellowish white 
colour, and is succeeded by an oval berry covered with a dark 
green rind. 
This handsome shrub is common in our gardens and 
shrubberies. Its leaves afford, by distillation, an useful 
oil, which is occasionally employed in medicine. They 
are also employed, in cookery, to flavour custards, pud- 
dings, stews, and pickles ; and Dr. Woodville assures 
