LAUEINEJjJ. 205 



folded sticks with a small central hollow like hirfah; that which 

 is dark-coloured is had." Of Kirfah he says, '*it has not the 

 sweetness of China cinnamon, and tastes like cloves/^ In 

 Southern India cassia is called ** clove-bark'' in several of the 



vernaculars. 



The author of the Mahhzan remarks :—'' From Ceylon to 

 the Dekhan the quality of the cinnamon grown gradually 

 deteriorates, the hark getting thick and mucilaginous/' 



For the history of cinnamon and cassia in Europe, we would 

 refer our readers to ihePhcmnacogrrq^Ma, where much interesting 



information will be found. 



Cassia and cassia oil imported from China are used medicin- 

 ally in India in much the the same manner as they are in 

 Europe. Ceylon cinnamon is not an article of commerce 



in India. 



Description, — Chinese cassia arrives in Bombay packed in 



boxes, which are covered with matting. Each box contains 

 about 60 lbs. The bark is tied up in bundles with strips of 

 bamboo, which weigh about 1 lb. each^ The greater portion 

 of each bundle consists of single quills of a light-brown colour, 

 with here and there portions of the external bark still attached ; 

 in the centre of the bundle is small collection of fragments 

 of bark and rubbish. Cassia bark is thicker than true cinnamon, 

 but has a similar taste and odour. 



Microscojnc structure. — Externally the bark is furnished with 

 a suberous layer. Within this is a parenchymatous portion in 

 which may be seen an irregular zone of stony cells. The 

 remainder is mostly composed of liber, in which are situated 

 numerous large cells which contain the essential oil. Latici- 

 ferous vessels containing a gummy substance are also present 

 in the parenchyme. 



Chinese cassia oil is imported in tins, which contain 12| 

 catties each ; it has a similar odour and colour to oil of cinnamon, 

 but is less agreeable. 



Chemical composition.' — The authors of the Pharmacographia 

 remark: "Cassia bark owes its aromatic properties to an 



