56 
ON CAMPHOR. 
which I used for the lactate, this oxide refused to dissolve 
with or without heat in acetic acid, even when very con- 
centrated. — Chemist, from Journ. de Chim. Med. 
ART. XVI. — ON CAMPHOR. 
Extract of a Letter, from E. O'Reiley, Esq., dated Amherst, Qth March % 
1842, to J. M'Clelland, Assistant Surgeon, Calcutta, 
" The bottle herewith sent is part of a quantity of about 
120 lbs., procured by evaporation from the tops of a plant 
growing profusely throughout the jungles on this coast, 
(specimen in flower enclosed in the box. ) The attention 
of a few Chinese was attracted to it some months ago, by 
my enquiry whether the same plant was common in China, 
and to what purpose it was applied. I was informed that 
the plant, which is an annual, was cultivated in some of the 
seaward provinces of China, and that the salt procured 
from it formed a part of their Materia Medica, being con- 
sidered efficacious in cases of rheumatic pains, and other 
diseases requiring emollients. 
"The whole of the apparatus employed in' procuring the 
salt is simple in the extreme, consisting merely of a large 
pan into which the tops are put, with a sufficient quantity 
of water to cover them over, in which is placed a cylindri- 
cal casing of wood, being smallest at the top, on which is 
fitted a large, shallow brass basin. A gradual heat is then 
applied, and the steam rising through the casing is con- 
densed on the surface of the basin, which, being constantly 
supplied with cold water, causes a crystallization of the 
salt ; this method is so rude, that it is impossible to form 
any correct idea as to the proportional parts of salt in a 
quantity of the plants : but, judging from its very strong 
odor when rubbed between the fingers, it maybe supposed 
