long, at the bottom slightly thickened and running down in the form of two distinct crests, by which two opposite furrows are formed which extend to the next leaves below. In the axils of the veins with the nerves the leaves have, on their under surface, a gland or porus, covered with a very short tomentum, similar to that of the coffee-leaf, or of Cedrela odorata. On the upper surface of the leaves we observe, at the spot where the glands are, small convexities. The stipules are opposite, between the leaves, ovate with a point, externally tomentose, internally smooth, shining, deciduous, pale green when young, at the margin rolled backwards and reddish; when full grown half-an-inch long, 4'-5′ broad, towards the top fixed to the leaf-stalk and forming the ring on the branch described above. They are covered with a viscid and resinous juice. At the inner part of the base we perceive many small knobs which resemble the warts on the tongue and the palate of many quadrupeds. The stipules cover the leaves completely before their development, and supply thus the scales of a scaly bud. They always protect the two upper leaves, being regularly inserted higher than the leaf-stalk.

The inflorescence consists of single and terminal racemes. The manner in which this Cinchona flowers has been differently described by various authors, and deserves, therefore, more strict attention. The peduncle terminates the branches. It is firstly divided into three, the middle and stronger proceeds straight, and forming the axis of the whole inflorescence. The lateral branches are smaller, obliquely erect, and repeatedly tripartite, till they branch off into the smallest, which support the flowers. The axis ramifies in a similar manner. The pedicels stand always crossways on their common pedunculus. From these circumstances I consider that the term Corymb is not applicable, and that Willdenow's description implies the true idea of this inflorescence: Painicula terminalis patens trichotoma. The peduncle and pedicels are quadrangular, with obtuse angles, compressed with two furrows, reddish and covered with a very short whitish tomentum. The floral leaves, which are on the first, second, third, and also on the fourth division of the chief peduncle, agree in consistence, form, and tomentum, with the other leaves; they are opposite stalked, and above become gradually smaller. On all the other divisions and subdivisions of the inflorescence are acute bracts, which are opposite, half embrace their axis, are tomentose, internally shining, becoming smaller upwards, persistent till the fruit is perfect and then falling off, when the latter dehisces and disseminates the seed. One, sometimes two, deciduous, subulate, scaly, bractlets, very short, and of the same consistence as the bracts, are at the base of each flower. The monosepalous, superior, campanulate, very small, tomentose calyx is divided into five acute straight teeth. The corolla is monopetalous and salver-shaped; the tube cylindrical, a little constricted towards the top, imperceptibly curved, with five longitudinal furrows, corresponding to the sinuses between the segments of the limb, much larger than the calyx, externally deep rose-coloured, with a short white tomentum, internally of a beautiful rose colour and without hairs: the limb flat, extended, with five oblong lanceolate segments, much shorter than the tube: the segments of the same colour as the tube, and covered with tomentum on the outer side; internally of the same colour as the inside of the tube, and not tomentose, but at the margin woolly, ciliated. The apex of the segment more tomentose than the rest of the margin. The colour of this tomentum is white. The filaments are five, and subulate; inserted below the middle of the tube. From thence they extend to the bottom of the corolla, corresponding to the furrows of the tube and to the sinuses between the segments. They are shorter than the tube. The anthers are linear, straight, somewhat divided at the bottom, hardly projecting with their points above the throat, two-celled, with yellow pollen, attached to the filament a short distance from the base. The pistil beneath the calyx, short tomentose, with an obovate ovary. The style is filiform; the two linear obtuse stigmata approaching one another. The fruit is an oblong capsule crowned by the calyx, compressed with two longitudinal furrows, two valves, and two cells. The dissepiment is formed by the union of the inner margins of the valves, by which the fruit becomes, as it were, divisable into two capsules. It dehisces longitudinally, and at the separation of the margins of the valves the seed and the seminal receptacle are expelled. The valves consist of two coats; the external one is of the consistency of the delicate bark of the smallest branches, and is marked on its convex surface with five longitudinal lines. The internal membrane is parchment-like (cartilaginous), strong and almost ligneous; its internal surface is smooth. The seeds are numerous, imbricated upwards, so that the lower ends are covered and the upper ones uncovered; they are small, elliptic, compressed, surrounded by

a membranous, transparent, oblong wing, which is frequently incised towards the lower end. Seminal receptacle between oblong and linear, inserted where the margins of the valves unite and form the dissepiment. It is dotted throughout its whole length, and these dots are the cicatrices left behind by the seeds.

The following are the dimensions in Paris feet in decimal parts :-The tree 6-7 toises high; the trunk 1-2 feet in diameter; the leaf 3′′ 6′′ long, 1' 6''' broad; the leaf-stalk 8"-10" long, 1"-14" thick; calyx 0.5" high, 0.7" broad; tube of the corolla 4.7" long, 0.9" broad; the margin of corolla (a Lacinia) 1.4′′ long; stamina 4.9" long; the filament in its free part, 2.3" long; the same, as far as it is fixed to the corolla, 1.0"; anther 1.6" long; pistil 5.9" long; stigma 1.1" long ; capsule 6.7" long, 2.8"" broad; seminal receptacle 4.2" long; seed (i. e. its centre without the wing) 0.8" long, 0.6" broad; wing 1.5" long, 0.8" broad.

This species of cinchona is the most valuable of all which have been hitherto discovered in the Andes. It is the most effective and most sought after. It grows wild in the neighbourhood of the town of Loxa, in an extent of 275 Spanish square miles, and in no other parts not only of the province of Quito but of all America. It is met with neither at all elevations nor in all temperatures of the Andes. It is found only at a barometrical pressure of between 22-23", and at a temperature of between 14° to 18° R., in a zone having 1321 Varas east latitude, and at an elevation of from 1898 V. east to 3220 above the level of the sea. It is found between 3° 42' and 4° 40' southern lat. Its eastern terminus lies in 6° 35' westward of Quito, and the western terminus in 1° 45′ from the same meridian. The natives call it eascarilla fina amarilla, and never quina. It flowers very probably twice, in July and August, and in December and January. The leaves fall successively, as is the case with most equinoctial plants. By the epithet amarilla jina it is distinguished from colorado fina, which differs from the typical principal form by the colour of the fresh bark, which is reddish, whereas the other, as has been stated above, is yellow. This quality, however, does not appear to be permanent, for when the amarilla is dried it assumes the colour of the other sort, so that the most experienced person is unable to distinguish one from the other. There are, however, a few other distinguishing characters. The leaves of colorada fina are thicker and more obtuse; the corolla is of a more beautiful rose-red, and slightly larger. The capsule is a little thicker; the glands in the axils of the nerves are common to both species.[From Dr. Von Martius's German version of J. J. de Caldas's Spanish_manuscript, written 1805-9, and published at Regensburg on the 7th July, 1846, in No. 25 of the Flora.]

ON THE CAMPHOR-TREE OF SUMATRA.

BY DR. W. H. DE VRIESE,

Professor of Botany at the Royal University of Leyden.

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 Laurus Camphora, L., belonging to the Laurels. It is a large and sometimes very thick tree, and may be recognized at first sight by its shining triplenerved leaves. The camphor is partly obtained from this tree by incisions in the trunk, the juice that streams out of it 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 another oblong iron pot, filled with straw or reeds. The camphor is sublimated by an elevated temperature, adheres to the straw, and is exported to Europe in slices. Formerly the camphor was only 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 Labiata-Mentha, Salvia, &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 precious and more medicinal than that of Japan, and at the present day the camphor of Sumatra is sold at a very high price, particularly 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 examination 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 der Hollandsche natie naar Oost-Indië, 1595-7," to be found in "Begin en Voortgangh van de Vereenigde Nederlandsche Geoctroijeerde O. I. Compagnie; gedrukt in den jare 1646."

What is told us of this tree by Valentyn, in the year 1680, is in many respects remarkable, and proves at the same time how much the tree was already considered worthy of attention. Mich. Bernh. Valentyn gives the following statement on this subject, which was in 1680 communicated to him by Arent Sylvius :

"The Camphor-tree is found in several forests. Without any culture or human aid, it grows luxuriantly like other forest-trees, and elevates its lofty, heavy, unbranched, and straight trunk, and forms a crown of moderate extension, but which may be called small in proportion to the trunk, and which is furnished with few and not heavy branches.

"The leaves are oblong ovate, with a strong lengthened point ('apice prolixe extenso'). In a dry state they are of a dark green colour. They are hard, tough, and smell like camphor. This is said of the tree of Baros, for in that of Java (that is, of Japan) the leaves are differently formed and much larger than those of the tree first mentioned, as may be seen by the seventh plate of Valentyn.

"The bark is fine and reddish; when the tree becomes old and thick, it falls off in large pieces by this property the tree may be partly distinguished from others. Roots several feet in length are also often to be seen above the ground.

"The fruit, which is obtained with difficulty in consequence of the height of the tree, resembles more a flower than a fruit, as it has more or less oblong and thick variously-coloured leaves, which are generally red, violet, yellow, or greenish, and enclose the fruit like a hazel-nut. The fruit has a hard shell; the enveloping leaves are elevated above it, and are not pointed, but have red tips, spread out above like the petals of a tulip. The fruit, which, like the leaves, has a taste of camphor, is not only useful for medicinal purposes, but may be employed as food, and, like many other fruits, makes a good confection. The fruit is not easily obtained, as it is dangerous to penetrate the woods.

"When the tree has attained some size, the resin does not stream out like benzoin; but near the pith, or heart, are natural fissures, in which the juice accumulates, which, gradually coagulating, sticks to the wood in the form of small pieces of camphor.

"If those who have the care of the Camphor-trees perceive that in some of the trees there is camphor (which they pretend to discover by some signs known to them), they order the trees to be cut down, strip them of their leaves and bark, and cut away the outer wood to the marrow or heart, in which are the apertures or fissures; they cut that wood into small pieces, and therein the camphor is found, beautifully brilliant. They have a method of scraping it from the wood with smalĺ instruments; and after purifying the scraped-off camphor (camphora abrasa) they seldom obtain more than from two to three pounds. Of that, one-twentieth is generally paid as a tribute; the rest remains in their possession.

"Camphor-oil, the peculiar juice of the tree, exudes from its fissures and cavities, and is carefully collected. The oil is so fine, that a paper penetrated by it and held near a flame, catches fire immediately and burns till all the oil is consumed.Oct. 2, 1680.'

We must not omit to mention that Valentynt has given a drawing of the leaves of a Camphor-tree of Baros, which agrees very well with the objects before us, so that we do not doubt that Arent Sylvius, from whose accounts this chapter is written by Valentyn, really knew the tree, and in what respects it differs from that of Japan.

I would recommend further the notices given of this tree by Breyne,‡ Grimm,§

* Valentini, India Literata, seu dissertationes epistolicæ de plantis, &c., p. 488. Francof. 1716, fol.

† Mich. Bern. Valentini, Hist. Simpl. Reformata, lib. ii., sect. iv., p. 250.

Prodr. fasc. Pl. rar., 1680.

Obs. de Arb. Camphora, in Miscell. Cur. sive Ephem. Nat. Curios., 1683, p. 371, tab. c. f. 33.

*

Rumphius, Charles Miller,+ Adolph Eschelskroon, Radermacher, Houttuyn,|| Gærtner, Colebrooke,** Roxburgh,†† and William Jack.‡‡

I will here repeat the diagnostic description given of this tree elsewhere, founded upon specimens from Sumatra, collected by Dr. Junghuhn.

DRYOBALANOPS, Gartn., Colebr., Jack.

Calyx inferus, monophyllus, cupulatus, limbo demum 5-alato, alis patentibus. Corolla infera, 5-partita (vel 5-petala, petalis basi junctis), laciniis ovato-lanceolatis. Stamina hypogyna, plurima, monodelpha, annulo in basi corollæ inserta; antheræ subsessiles, biloculares, elongatæ, lineares, loculis membranaceis, mucronatis. Ovarium superum, ovatum, stylo post anthesin sæpe persistente acuminatum, triloculare, loculis biovulatis. Stylus filiformis, staminibus vix longior. Stigma vix distinctum (nec capitatum). Capsula unilocularis, trivalvis, monosperma, calyci aucto partim insidens, partim ejus, laciniis auctis alæformibus cincta. Seminis embryo exalbuminosus, inversus, cotyledonibus inæqualibus carnosis chrysaloideocontortuplicatis.- Arbores excelsa Sumatram insulam habitantes, foliis alternis coriaceis; stipulis caducis; floribus paniculatis, terminalibus et axillaribus. Dryobalanops Camphora, Colebr.; foliis ovatis obtuse acuminatis basi acutis superne nitidis dorso opacis parallele venosis carinatis.

HAB. Region. 0-1000'; prope Tapanuli et Huraba.

SYNONYMA.

De arbore Camphora litera Wilhelmi ten Rhyne ad Jacob Breynium: Prodr. ej fasc. rar. plant. Gedani, 1683.

Arbor Camphora, Grimm, Observ. in Miscell. Cur. sive Ephem. Nat. Curios. 1683, p. 371, cum tab. fig. 33 (mala).

Arbor Camphorifera, Valentini, Ind. lit. p. 488, 1716, ex auctoritate Arent Sylvii. Arbor Camphorifera, Mich. Bernh. Valentini Hist. Simpl. Reformata, lib. ii., sect. vi., p. 250. Rumphii Herb. Amb. Auct. cap. lxxxii., p. 67. 1755. Ch. Miller, in Phil. Trans. vol. lxviii., p. 1, pp. 161, 170, 188.

Lauras foliis ovalibus acuminatis lineatis, floribus magnis tulipaceis, Houttuyn, Nat. Hist. ii., 2, pp. 318, 319; Verh. Holl. Maatsch. van Wet. xxi. 272.

Dryobalanops aromatica, Gaertn.? Suppl. Carpol. vol. iii. 49.

Dryobalanops Camphora, Colebr., Asiatic Researches, vol. xii., p. 537, 1818.

Dryobalanops Camphora, Colebr., in Jack's Descr. of Malayan Plants, Hook. Comp. vol. i., p. 253. 1835.

Shorea Camphorifera, Roxb.? Fl. Ind. vol. ii., p. 617. 1832.

Pterygium teres, Correa? Ann. du Mus. vol. x., p. 159, t. 8, f. 1.

Dryobalanops Camphora, Colebr. in Hayne's Arzn. Gew. xii., 17.

Dryobalanops Camphora, Colebr., Korthals, Verh. over de Nat. Gesch. der OostInd. Bezitt. (Kruidk.) p. 45.

ADUMBRATIO.

Arbor 100'; trunco valido, stricto, columnæformi, 60-70' alto, 11' crasso, ad basin expansionibus laminaribus radiantibus instructo; cortice exteriore ibidem fisso, scabro, strato resinoso, splendente, partim albo partim flavescente, sæpe crasso, pelucidoque irstructo; sursum fusco, demum in ramis ramulisque e griseo-fuscescente obtecto. Lignum ipsum fuscum.

Folia alterna (nec opposita), petiolata; petiolis dorso rotundatis, superne sulcatis, sæpe curvatis vel inflexis et ramis accumbentibus, 0,01-0,02 longis, immo longioribus;

*Herb. Amb. Auct., cap. lxxxii., p. 67. 1755.

† Extracts from several Letters from Mr. Charles Miller, giving some account of the interior parts of Sumatra.-Phil. Trans., vol. lxviii., p. 161, 170. 1778. Beschr. van Sumatra, insonderheid van desselfs Koophandel.

p. 61-63. 1783.

Door Ad. Eschelskroon,

Verhand. van het Bataviaasch Genootschap, vol. iii., p. 27. 1785.; vii. Batavia. 1814. Verh. der Holl. Maatsch. van Wetensch., pl. viii. 1784.

Suppl. Carpol., vol. iii., p. 49.

Asiatic Researches, vol. xii., p. 537. 1818.

tt Flor. Ind., vol. ii., p. 617. 1832.

Hooker's Companion, vol. i., p. 253. 1835.

ovatis, basi acutis, apice subito angustatis, obtuse acuminatis, margine integerrimis, versus apicem subundulatis, utrinque glabris, coriaceis, superne nitentibus, medio sulcatis, dorso opacis carinatis, parallele venosis, demto petiolo 0,06-0,07 longis, et 0,33 fere latis.

Stipulæ geminatæ, subulatæ, caduca (Colebr.); ovatæ, acutæ (Korth.); in speciminibus Junghuhnianis nullæ. An forsan omnes lapsæ? Pedunculi axillares et terminales, breves, incrassati.

Calyx (junior non visus) adultus auctus, hemisphæricus, campanulatus, basi lignosus, admodum crassus; interna structura magnum referens numerum lacunarum aërearum, in quinque excrescens alas foliaceas, coriaceas, rigidas, erectas, patentes, reflexas, sinu exciso rotundato amplo a se invicem distinctas. Alarum formæ et diametri diversæ sunt pro diverso evolutionis stadio; in fructibus immaturis magis sunt elongatæ, et versus medium et apicem dilatatæ, 0,07 longæ et fere 0,01 latæ (spec. Houtt. et Jungh.) et in illo stadio quoque erectæ; in maturis (Colebr.) contra magis dilatatæ, vere spathulatæ, reflexæ. Structura alarum est parallele nervosa et inter nervos, reticulata. Calyx totus terebinthinam redolet.

Corolla (secundum specimen lectum a Millero fil. et nobiscum communicatum ab Ill. Rob. Br. ex Mus. Brit. Lond.), caduca, monopetala, 5-partita, laciniis ima basi inter se coalitis membranaceis, 0,015 longis, 0,004 latis, lanceolatis.

Stamina in fundo corollæ annulo proprio dentibus triangularibus acutis erectis instructo insidentia, numerosa. In specim. Mill. 15 numeramus, sed plura lapsa sunt. Filamenta brevissima; antheræ biloculares, introrsæ, in dorso linea media (connectivo) in mucronem ultra loculos elongata notatæ; loculi membranacei, tota longitudine dehiscentes, marginibus loculorum involutis.

Capsula glandem quercinam simulans, supera, ovata, stylo coronata, lignosa, fusca, externe striis longitudinalibus tenuibus prædita, basi cupula rotundato-gibba hemisphærica excepta, eique firmiter adhærens, unilocularis, trivalvis, valvis æqualibus crassis, monosperma, 0,035 longa, 0,015 lata (Colebr.), 0,03 longa, 0,015 lata (Gærtn. si eadem est ejus species quæ Colebrookii, quod incertum).

Semen solitarium, magnum, cavitati capsulæ respondens, ovato-oblongum, antice sulcatum, integumento fusco ad sulcum intus flexum, et cum columna centrali colliquescens. Columna centralis e fundo cupulæ calycinæ oriunda, ad verticem adscendens, semen in illa directione in duos dividens lobos dorso connatos, inde aucta; lobis longitudinalibus, mollibus, columna brevioribus, intra cotyledonum plicas sese demergentibus; duobus majoribus lateralibus ad ventrem recurvis; duobus minoribus dorsalibus citra axem productis divergentibus (Gærtn.).

Albumen nullum.

Externus maximus,

Embryo constans 2 cotyledonibus, carnosis, imparibus. seminis formam constituentibus; interior multo minor, lateralis, subcochleatus. Plumula simplex, conica, diphylla. Ridicula longa, sursum directa, in sulco cotyledonis externi contenta, apice conico obtusiusculo terminata, adscendens, supera. (Juxta spec. Marsdeni Mus. Brit. Londinensis et descript. Cel. Gærtn.)

The tree here described belongs to the Natural Order Dipterocarpea (Bl. Lindl.). All the trees belonging to this family are gigantic and of a majestic appearance, and are chiefly remarkable for the beautifully coloured and winged fruits. All of them contain more or less of a balsamic resin. Shorea robusta produces a resinous substance, which is used at the religious solemnities of the Indians. Vateria Indica yields a resin which in India is used as copal, and is known in Europe as anime-resin. The Javanese species of Dipterocarpus are all resinous, and the resin is said to be used as copaiva-balsam.

The camphor-tree is one of the loftiest of the Indian Archipelago. In its dimensions it surpasses even the rasamala-tree (Altingia excelsa) of Java. It is the giant among the trees of the East Indies. Its trunk rises vertically, and divides into branches only at the top, forming a somewhat convex crown. A person looking over the tops of the trees from an elevated place, for instance, from the mountains behind Loemoet, at a height of from three to four hundred feet, can without difficulty count the full-grown camphor trees that are scattered in the forest; for, while the Anonacea, Acacias, Fagree, and figs, which compose the chief mass of trees in those forests, are eighty to a hundred feet high, the camphor-tree, with its gigantic crown, is seen rising fifty or even a hundred feet above them, as the steeples of churches appear above the roofs of the houses in a town. The following are its dimensions, compared with those of the rasamala (Liquidambar Allinghiana) :—