Perfumes and their preparation

by George William Askinson

Camphor (Camphora).

This essential oil differs from the others mainly by being firm and crystalline at ordinary temperatures. Chinese or Japanese camphor melts at 175° C. (347° F.) and boils at 205° C. (401° F.). Camphor is seldom used alone, as its odor is hardly fragrant; but it finds frequent application in the preparation of mouth washes, toilet vinegars, etc. In commerce so-called Borneo camphor is also met with (though rarely), which closely resembles the Chinese in appearance and other qualities, but is more friable and melts at 189° C. (388·4° F.).