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.  They put this flour into tubs of water, and beat it up with a stick, and then the bran and other impurities come to the top, whilst the pure flour sinks to the bottom.  The water is then thrown away, and the cleaned flour that remains is taken and made into pasta in strips and other forms.  These Messer Marco often partook of, and brought some with him to Venice.  It resembles barley bread and tastes much the same.  The wood of this tree is like iron, for if thrown into the water it goes