OX THE CAMPHOR-TREE OF SUMATRA. 
329 
c x the camphoe-te.ee or Sumatra. 
By T>r, W. H. Pe Yriese, 
Professor of Botany in the Royal University of Lejden. 
For many years past a distinction has been made between the 
Camphor-tree of Sumatra and Borneo, and that of Japan and 
China. The Japan or Chinese Camphor-tree is Lauras C 'amphora 
L.j belonging to the Laurels. I: is a large and sometimes very 
thick tree, and may be recognized at first sight by its shining 
triple-nerved leaves. The camphor is partly obtained from this 
tree by incisions in the trunk, the juice that streams out being 
gathered in bowls. This method produces the purest camphor. 
Another kind is obtained by decoction and distillation of the 
wood in an iron pot, furnished with a cover, or covered with an- 
other oblonz iron pot rilled with straw or reeds. The camphor is 
sublimated :y an elevated temperature, adheres to the straw, and 
and is exported to Europe in slices. Formerly, the camphor was 
oniy refined in Holland ; the process is now known elsewhere also. 
This is the camphor commonly sold in Europe, and is generally 
of a low price Several other plants, chiefly of the Order 
Labi at & — Mentha, Salvia. «S"c. — contain camphor, but in a small 
quantity. The camphor of Sumatra and Borneo, as well as the 
tree producing it, was always supposed to differ from that of Japan 
and China. At a remote period it was thought to be more pre- 
cious and more medicinal than that of Japan, and at the present 
day the camphor of Sumatra is sold at a very high price, particu- 
larly to the Chinese ; that of Japan and China, on the contrary, 
may be purchased at a low price, 
The most varying accounts of the history of the Camphor-tree 
of Sumatra are given both by earlier and more recent authors. 
Some of these notices may be considered as entirely contrary to 
the truth, others are inaccurate,, and very few are exact. The ex- 
amination of them all would occupy too much time. 
The Camphor-trees of Sumatra and Borneo were mentioned in 
the latter part of the sixteenth century. The first mention of it 
occurs in the " Eerste Scheepvaart dcr Hollands che natie naar 
Oost-Indie, 159o — 7," to be found in " Begin en Voortgangh van 
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