1846.] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 559 



ported into Europe. It is cultivated for its red dye, which is the best known to the 

 Indian islanders. It is used in cabinet work for inlaying, to a limited extent. Its 

 value is about two dollars a pecul in the Canton market, where large quantities are 

 brought, chiefly from Manilla. 



Cassia. — This is of three kinds, cassia lignea, which is the bark of the tree ; 

 cassia buds, and cassia fistula or pods ; the latter is commonly known by the name 

 of senna; cassia lignea is the substance commonly called cassia, and is exported 

 from China to all parts of the world. It is the decorticated bark of the laurus 

 cassia, a large tree, which grows in China and Japan in large quantities ; the tree 

 is also found in the Indian Archipelago. The cassia brought from Ceylon and 

 Malabar is inferior to the Chinese, being more liable to foul packing, thicker and 

 darker colored, and less aromatic. 



The Chinese cassia is sewed up in mats, usually two or more rolls in each mat, 

 and a pound in each roll, and is easily distinguished from cinnamon, which it re- 

 sembles, for it is smaller quilled, breaks shorter, and is less purgent. The liability 

 to mistake happens only in distant markets, as the trees grow in different countries. 

 Cassia fistula is the plant that produces the cassia pods. Cassia buds are the 

 fleshy receptacles of the seeds of the cinnamon tree, and bear some resemblance to 

 a clove, and when fresh possess a fine cinnamon flavor. The relative value of 

 Cassia bark and buds is as eight to five, but this varies, however, with the quantity 

 in market. 



Cassia Oil. — This oil is obtained from the leaves of the cassia tree by distillation, 

 and is used as a medicine under the name of oleum nialabathri. It is easily tested 

 by putting a small quantity on the hand, which will slowly evaporate, and thus any 

 foreign substance will be detected. The leaves are exported under the name of 

 folia malabathri. All parts of the cassia tree are useful ; the wood, the bark, the 

 leaves, the buds, and the oil, are all in request for various purposes, in carpentering, 

 medicine, and cookery. The price of cassia varies from eight dollars to twelve 

 dollars per pecul, and the buds a little in advance of that of the oil, which is from 

 one dollar fifty to two dollars per catty. 



China root. — This is the China smilax, a climbing plant. The roots are jointed, 

 knobbed, thick, of a brown color, and break short ; when cut, the surface is smooth, 

 close, and glossy ; but if old and wormy, dust flies from it when broken. The mar- 

 ket price varies from three dollars twenty-five to four dollars per pecul. It is used 

 by the Chinese extensively as a medicine, and is exported to India for the same 

 purpose. 



Turmeric. — This is dried root of the curcuma longa, a herbaceous plant, cultiva- 

 ted in all the Indian islands and on the continent, for its coloring and aromatic 

 qualities. The color is very transitory, and no method has yet been found to set 

 it. It has an aromatic smell resembling ginger, and a warm bitterish taste. It is 

 used much as a spice, and is always an ingredient of curry, so much prized in the 

 east. Turmeric is a good test for free alkalies, and the quantity used for this pur- 

 pose is considerable. Its price varies from five to six dollars per pecul. 



Whangees or Japan Canes. — These are the produce of a plant which grows in 

 China. They are well calculated for walking sticks, and should be chosen v?ith 

 care. Their value is about eighteen dollars per thousand. 



Cutch or Terra Japonica. — This substance was for a long time supposed to be 

 an earth, but it is now ascertained to be the extract of the acasia catechu. It is 

 imported from Bombay and Bengal. That brought from the former place is friable, 

 and of a red brown color, and moro hard and firm than that from Bengal. It 

 varies considerably ; some kinds being ponderous and compact, others very light 

 and friable ; some more, and others less astringent. The value varies from four to 

 five dollars per pecul. 



Horns and Bones. — Tiicse animal products are brought to Canton in junks from 

 the adjacent countries, and form an important article of import with the native 

 vossela. The horns aro made into handles, combs, &c., and buttons, and other 

 Uieful articles, and 'the bont-H serve for various fancy articles, and aro sometimes 

 burned into lime . In a single year five hundred and two poculs huvo been brought 

 to Canton. 



Mother-of-pearl Shells. — These are imported to and exported from this port. 

 The Persian Gulf, the coasts of India, and the Indian Archipelago, produce them 



