42, QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL, (1 JAN., 18985 
end of that time the brass pan is lifted off, and its lower surface is found to be 
coated with a layer of crystallised substance about the sixteenth of an inch 
thick. This is the ai-fen or crude camphor, and is sent to Canton, and 
remanufactured into ai-p’ten or refined camphor. 
Another writer gives the following as the processes of preparation:—(1) A 
large pan or cauldron is filled with water, and a tin or can without a lid is get 
upright init. This tin has a small aperture beneath, into which is fitted a 
metal tube. The plant is put into the tin, and a second iron pan put over the 
tin like a cap. This pan has an aperture through which issues the tube 
leading from the can. The water is,made to boil,.and the steam, having no 
othermeans of egress but the tube, passes through thecan and out of the covering 
iron pan, steaming the plant on its way, and condensing as “ai dew.” (2) In 
the second place, the “ai dew” is put into a tin orcan which has no orifice in 
it, and, with that. variation, treated as before. The product is called-ai fen (or 
‘at flour” or “ powder”). (8) The “ai powder” is treated according to the’ 
first of the three processes, and the essence thus. distilled is the fragrant 
ai yu or “ at oil.” tga ga ad AM aan 
EXPLANATION, OF -PLATE. 
1, Capitulum. 4, Seta of pappus. 
: 2. Female floret. ‘5. Antheis, 
: » 3. 'Disk floret: 6. Stigma. 
; , Enlarged. 
THE PHASEOLUS SEMI-ERECTUS, OR INDIGO PLANT, 
_ By DANIEL JONES, 
F Department of Agriculture, , 
Tne mysterious operations of natural forces demonstrated by the investigations 
of plant existence will ever indisputably remain one of the most interesting 
forms of scientific research. Thus, in the march of science, new ideas have 
perforce to succeed older ones as the master mind of man penetrates keener 
than ever Nature’s hidden mysteries; and despite the jealous care with which 
she enwraps her truths, the solution of problems affecting the laws of plant life 
is daily becoming less abstruse; and as light'gleams on the subjects, the marvels 
of ‘Nature are presented in newer and more ‘fascinating forms. Some will well 
remember how a few years since, when the important surmises of Berthelot and 
the subsequent discoveries of Willfarth and Hellriegel were outlined’ to the 
scientific world, and how the ascertained facts became the’ butt for jokes and 
hilarity. Now, the so-called new-fangled theories in this, asin many‘another 
scientific subject; have outgrown the environment of the prejudiced mind, and 
stand as a splendid fabric.on which are demonstrated many problems that 
heretofore were but within. the undefined field of conjecture. Thus to home 
agriculturists, any possible indication of useful enlightenment that carries with 
it a probability of easy local demonstration of the utility of these discoveries, 
can but result in additional interest: or service to the home farmer... . ight 
_ The presence of this Phaseolus in many of our coastal districts, and which 
is-‘sometimes designated Indigo, has proved very embarrassing to the farmer. 
Given .a.good:start, and it quickly. ranks amongst the most persistent -and 
prolific of our weeds, and undoubtedly is a most formidable plague to eradicate 
once it attains footing. . One of our greater poets, in a, splendid vein, of philo- 
sophy, once wrote of; Satan, “That he exists, for some good, by, us not under- 
stood.” ‘This also. may truly have, been. the philosophy. of my, friend, who, 
writing of nut-grass, in palliation averred its value as an increased stimulant to- 
wards thorough cultivation. Farmers in our district, although looking with scant. 
fayour on the presence of this weed (Phaseolus), haye for long.recognised some 
merit attached to it. At certain stagesof growth, when not too rank or wiry, ithas- 
