VEGETABLE DRUGS WITHOUT ORGANIC STRUC- 

 TURE. 



SUGARS AND SWEET EXUDATES. 



MANNA. 



Manna is the concrete saccharine exudation of Fraxinus 

 Orniis, L. (nat. ord. Oleaceae). 



Fraxinus Omus is distributed throughout eastern 

 tropical countries and is cultivated to a great extent in 

 more northern regions. The manna is obtained in many- 

 places from cultivated trees. These begin to produce 

 after five years and continue to yield manna for twenty 

 years, after which they are cut down and new ones 

 planted. In August or September the trees are tapped 

 for the sugar, by means of sharp knives, the cut usually 

 being three or four inches long, and extending well 

 through the bark into the wood. From this wound 

 comes the sap, at first brownish and somewhat bitter, 

 after\vard white and sweet. It is collected as it drops 

 out in receptacles varying with the place of culture. 



Description. — Two main kinds occur in the market, 

 stem manna and lump manna, Tears and Sorts, although 

 a number of terms have been in use in different sections. 

 Flake manna is commonly sold. 



Stem or Tear Manna is produced by slow exudation 

 and drying, whereby the manna forms in irregularly 

 triangular pieces. When good samples are obtained the 

 pieces are from 15 to 20 cm. (5 to 8 inches) long and 

 2 cm. Ci inch) thick. They have a porous crystalline 

 appearance, are light brown in color, whiter on the sur- 

 face. 



