ON THE CAMPHOR-TREE OF SUMATRA. 
339 
ation, in an opposite direction, like a hurricane, from the moun- 
tains to the coast. 
Thus the camphor-tree grows in a very changeable and general- 
ly moist climate, where extreme states of heat and coolness by 
storm quickly follow each other. About eleven in the morning, 
in the serenest weather, there is frequently an oppressive warmth, 
while at noon heavy showers, driven on by a north-west wind, and 
accompanied by thunder and lightning seem to cover the land. 
Surrounding Vegetation. — One consequence of the unsettled 
character of the climate, of the low elevation of the clouds, and of 
the cooler temperature in general, is the occurrence of some trees 
and plants near the sea-coast, which in Java are met with only at a 
greater height. Thus the cainphor-trees grows often in company, not 
only with species of acacia, anona,michelia, and dipterocarpecs, but 
also with oaks ; and it is found with marsh casurince, with the Ni- 
pong Palm (Oncosperma filament osum^) and w-ith benzoin-trees. 
Amidst the underwood of the forest are seen species of melastoma, 
elettaria, and other scitamince, with Vitex trifoliata (which occurs 
most frequently,) and several species of rubus. These plants are 
seldom found in Java below 3000 feet. 
Signs of the presence of Camphor in the tree. — According to 
the observations of Dr. Junghuhn, the young trees do not contain 
camphor. The inhabitants of the Battalands are accustomed to 
cut the oldest and heaviest ones, although the age of the trees is 
not known ; and in reference to a large camphor-tree which he saw 
near Tapanuli, the Rajah Ngabing told him, that his ancestors, as 
far back as the history of his family went, had known it of the 
same size. It was probably at least two hundred years old. 
Camphor-oil and Camphor. — Camphor- oil, that is to say liquid 
camphor, occurs in all the trees, even in young ones, and exists in 
all parts of the tree, but most in the younger branches and leaves. 
The solid camphor is, however, found only between the woody fi- 
bres, and, therefore, only in the trunk. The natives do not know 
beforehand whether a trunk contains much or little camphor. If, 
however, there is a large quantity of camphor in the splinters or 
fibres of the wood, they decide that the fissures of the inner part 
contain a great abundance. When much gluey, half-solid young 
camphor shows itself on the radiating extensions, or in the fissures 
at the lower part of the trunk, they come to the same conclusion. 
