The whole quantity exported from the Barus territory goes to
China. De Vriese reckons the average annual export from Sumatra between
1839 and 1844 at less than 400 kilogrammes. The following table shows the
wholesale rates in the Chinese market as given by Rondot in 1848: -
Qualities of Camphor. Per picul of 133-1/3 lbs.
Ordinary China, 1st quality 20 dollars.
" " 2nd " 14 "
Formosa 25 "
Japan 30 "
China ngai (ext. from an Artemisia) 250 "
Barus, 1st quality 2000 "
" 2nd " 1000 "
The Chinese call the Sumatran (or Borneo) Camphor Ping-pien "Icicle
flakes," and Lung-nan "Dragon's Brains." [Regarding Baros Camphor, Mr.
Groeneveldt writes (Notes, p. 142): "This substance is generally called
dragon's brain perfume, or icicles. The former name has probably been
invented by the first dealers in the article, who wanted to impress their
countrymen with a great idea of its value and rarity. In the trade three
different qualities are distinguished: the first is called
prune-blossoms, being the larger pieces; the second is rice-camphor, so
called because the particles are not larger than a rice-kernel, and the
last quality is golden dregs, in the shape of powder. These names are
still now used by the Chinese traders on the west coast of Sumatra. The
Pen-ts'au Kang-mu further informs us that the Camphor Baros is found in
the trunk of a tree in a solid shape, whilst from the roots an oil is
obtained called Po-lut (Pa-lut) incense, or Polut balm. The name of
Polut is said to be derived from the country where it is found (Baros.)"
- H. C] It is just to remark, however, that in the Ain Akbari we find the
price of the Sumatran Camphor, known to the Hindus as Bhim Seni, varying
from 3 rupees as high as 2 mohurs (or 20 rupees) for a rupee's weight,
which latter price would be twice the weight in gold. Abul Fazl says the
worst camphor went by the name of Balus. I should suspect some mistake,
as we know from Garcias that the fine camphor was already known as Barus.
(Ain-i-Akb. 75-79.)
(Mas'udi, I. 338; I.B. IV. 241; J.A. ser. IV. tom. viii. 216;
Lane's Arab. Nights (1859), III. 21; Battalaender, I. 107; Crawf.
Hist. III. 218, and Desc. Dict. 81; Hedde et Rondot, Com. de la
Chine, 36-37; Chin. Comm. Guide; Dr. F.A. Flueckiger, Zur Geschichte des
Camphers, in Schweiz. Wochenschr. fuer Pharmacie, Sept., Oct., 1867.)
NOTE 4. - An interesting notice of the Sago-tree, of which Odoric also
gives an account. Ramusio is, however, here fuller and more accurate:
"Removing the first bark, which is but thin, you come on the wood of the
tree which forms a thickness all round of some three fingers, but all
inside this is a pith of flour, like that of the Carvolo (?). The trees
are so big that it will take two men to span them.
