ARISTOLOCHIACES. és 
ing to Thunburg, the cinnamon barkers belong to a particular caste of Cingalese, known by the name of chalia; they 
enjoy peculiar privileges. An incision 1s made in the bark to ascertain whether it is adherent, or can be separated ; 
this is practised on new branches of old trees, as well as upon the young plants. The season for barking is after the 
rains, which fall periodically, at which time the sap has ascended ; this is from April to August, and from November 
to January, twice annually. One or two longitudinal slits are made according to the size of the limb, by which seg- 
ments or strap-shaped pieces are removed. When a certain quantity of these pieces are removed, they are tied in 
* bundles and allowed to remain for twenty-four hours, so as to be allowed to undergo a slight fermentative action which 
facilitates the removal of the epidermis, and the interior green substance, which are scraped off. When thus prepared, 
they are rolled into tube-like cylinders, about three feet in length, and the smaller are introduced within the larger, so 
as to form solid masses, which are first dried in the shade, then in the sun. . 
The British East India Company possess the entire monopoly of the cultivation of cinnamon. An assortment of 
the different kinds takes place in their godowns, and such as is of inferior quality is rejected. It is then packed in 
bundles of about eighty pounds each; the number of these bundles sent to London annually is 5000. (Cramford.) 
Several kinds of cinnamon are distinguished by the Cingalese, as the krasse-karonde, or sweet; Nai-karonde, or 
serpent; Capourte-karonde, the camphorated, and the Canotte-karonde, or astringent. ‘These are varieties. 
The pieces of cinnamon which are too small to be packed, are reserved for the extraction of the oil. 
The Company enjoying the monopoly of the cinnamon trade, have prevented the indiscriminate exportation of it, 
by permitting each ship not carrying it, which visits Ceylon, to be furnished only with ten pounds. . 
Although the largest proportion of the cinnamon which arrives in Europe is supplied from Ceylon, it appears 
that it has been introduced into the Cape de Verd Islands, and it is said that the product is of the very best quality ; 
endeavours have been made to naturalize it in Italy. The Isle of France, Brazil, Pondicherry, and Gaudaloupe, at 
present furnish it to commerce. It is also cultivated in Jamaica. We are told by Loreiro that the true cinnamon 
grows in Cochin China, but is consumed in the country. 
This bark, to possess superior value, should be thin and papyraceous; in the inferior kinds, it is thicker and 
firmer ; it is more or less cylindrical, and is of a pale brown, or red colour; the fracture is fibrous. Its odour is strong, 
aromatic, and sweet; its taste pungent, sweet and astringent. It contains an acrid volatile oil, tannin, &c. The oil is 
distilled in alembies ; it is of two kinds, light and heavy ; from exposure, the oil absorbs oxygen, and deposits stearop- . 
tine, which is sometimes found already formed in the root. 
The medical qualities of cinnamon are stimulating and astringent; it is much used as an adjuvant. ‘There are 
several preparations into which it enters. The tincture and water are those formed of it singly. ‘The powder is some- 
umes used, but the greatest consumption is as a condiment. _ 
Prare LXXV.—Represents the plant in flower, and the fruit. — 
ARISTOLOCHIACES. 
LINDLEY. 
ARISTOLOCHIC EX.—Jussieu. 
Spee Cuar.—F lowers hermaphrodite. Calyx adherent to the ovary (i. e. superior), monosepalous ; the 
t . . z it é 
tilly "eects or tubular, and irregularly dilated at the upper part; valvate in estivation. Stamens definite, gene- 
Thary numbers, free and distinct, or adherent to the style and stigma, and epigynous. Ovary three to six- 
celled. . =a 
lateral ap short. Stigma divided. Capsule or berry coriaceous, three to six-celled; many seeded; the placenta 
eats si mt very small, at the base of a cartilaginous albumen. Usually climbing herbs or shrubs, with alter- 
? Simple petiolated leaves. (Bot. Gall and Pereira.) 
h : ee npeoeme 
€ medical qualities of this tribe depend upon the presence of bitter extractive and volatile oil. 
