FORMOSAN FORESTS.

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 49, 27 July 1908, Page 8

FORMOSAN FORESTS.

WHERE THE CAMPHOR COMES

FROM.

That so simple an announcement as that the price of camphor was rising could be in any way associated with the dread issues of life and death would never enter the rraind of the ordinary reader, says a writer in “Chambers’s Journal." That the morsel of the fragrant drug which acts as the sentinel of our wardrobe against the invasion of predatory moths may stand for the death and dole of those who won it in the dark Formosan forests—may in very deed represent some dreary human tragedy and have been the occasion of great joy in some wild hiM-village when the hunters returned with the freshly severed heads—is hidden from all but a few. But to those of us (continues the writer in “Chambers’s Journal") who know Formosa and the camphor trade, with its terrible dangers, the little semi-transparent blocks which we purchase are invested with a very real and even tragic interest ; and when we are told that the price of camphor has risen, it is as though the diminutive cakes we handle were sensitised with telepathic power and vibrant with the intimation of tragedy. HEAD-HUNTING SAVAGES. No doubt, of course, the Japanese may nowadays control the market ; but it is never so certain that they can control the head hunting savages of the hills, and the development of this valuable industry depends equally upon the success of their measures for encountering and suppressing these determined and yet unconquered tribes. Formosa, which is shaped somewhat like a huge sole, has a rugged, mountainous backbone in which Mt. Morrison towers into the clouds to a height of 12,000 ft. Throughout the wild penetralia of these mountains lurk a number of warlike tribes of varying strength, whose lives are devoted to hunting, fishing, and fighting with one another, their one community of interest being a passionate ardour in the collection of human heads, whether of their tribal enemies or of the Chinese and coolies who live on the verge of the hills or are engaged in the camphor industry. The Japanese, who—well organised and determined as they are—have not yet succeeded in effecting their conquest, have already had some desperate encounters with these irreconcilable enemies, and parties of soldiers have even been surprised and slaughtered and their heads borne away into the dark recesses of the mountains.

For although these singular people have been known to welcome the white stranger to their villages with the greatest cordiality, with a camphor prospector they will hold no intercourse, regarding him as the avant-courier of a foreign yoke, and his severed head in their remote villages is typical of the only terms' on which they will ever consent to meet him until the final conquest of their mountain stronghold is achieved.

QUALIFYING FOR MATRIMONY,

Thus, while Chinese heads were at one time most eagerly sought for, the growing danger to their continued independence created by the presence of Japan has invested the actions with a newer rationale.

Consequently the young braves, in qualifying for the dignity of matrimony by the collection of heads in proof of their valour, may now pose as champions of their race when gratifying their blood-lust upon some belated and outnumbered little party of camphor-men, who at a moment of fancied security have been suddenly taken unawares by their merciless foes.

These, quite possibly, have been watching and counting the heads for some time previously, for a headhunter will lie in wait for days for his victim, who, he knows, will take a certain path some time or other. Then from among the dense foliage and undergrowths he shoots bis victim at point-blank range, and with savage exultation severes the precious head of his quarry, whether dead or alive, canying it back to his village, where he is received with inconceivable honqur and rejoicings. WORLD’S CAMPHOR SUPPLY*

The tree from which camphor is obtained is a species of laurel indigenous to Formosa, and it is on the mountains overrun by these terrible hordes qf head-hunters that the extensive forests from which practically the world draws its supply of camphor are found.

Of nearly seven million pounds obtained annually, this small island produces all but about 600,0001 b., half of which comes from Japan, a third from China, and one-sixth from Borneo.

Allowing for a reasonable increase in the world's demand, it is estimated that Formosa contains sufficient camphor to supply the world for another hundred years and more, for Japan scrupiously plants a new tree for every one cut down in pursuit of the industry.