CAMPHOR, a concrete essential oil, or stearoptine, obtained from vegetables. Two kinds are known in commerce. The well-known common camphor is obtained in the East by the distillation of the roots and branches of the Laurus camphora. Small quantities of it are found in the wood of the tree in a solid state. The second kind was
till lately little known in Europe. It is found in cavities in the stem of a large Bornean forest tree, Dryobalanops camphora. This sort has a slightly alliacous odour mixed with that of camphor, occurs in small grains, and is highly valued by the Chinese, who give for it 100 times the price which they give for ordinary camphor. A tree of full size will yield, it is said, from 11 to 22 pounds avoirdupois of that camphor; but it causes the total destruction of the tree, which does not produce this substance until it has attained a large size. See CHEMISTRY, and INDEX.