Carbon nanofibers are synthesised by pyrolysis of camphor vapor in nitrogen atmosphere in the temperature range of 650degreesC to 750degreesC. Thickness of carbon fibers increases from 30 nm to 250 nm with an increase of pyrolysis temperature. Characterizations of these fibers were done by SEM and TEM. A novel growth of carbon nanofibers of octopus type has been seen on the electrochemically nickel-plated copper sheet. At higher magnification of TEM studies, carbon nanofibers are found to made up of many thin cotton threads like structures.