SPICES. 345 



and narrower. The flowers bloom in January ; they 

 grow on footstalks, rising from the axillae of the 

 leaves, and the extremities of the branches, cluster- 

 ing in bunches, which resemble in size and shape 

 those of the lilac, but they are white, with a brownish 

 tinge in the centre ; these are followed by one-seeded 

 berries, of the shape of an acorn, but not so large as 

 a common pea. When first gathered their taste re- 

 sembles that of the juniper-berry. When dry, this 

 fruit becomes merely a thin shell, containing a kernel 

 about the size of an apple-seed. The smell of the 

 flowers, though not powerful, is extremely fragrant. 

 The footstalks of the leaves have a strong flavour of 

 cinnamon. The fruit, if boiled, yields an oil, which 

 when cold becomes a solid substance like wax, and is 

 formed into candles ; these emit an agreeable odour, 

 and in the kingdom of Candy are reserved for the sole 

 use of the court. 



The trees which are cultivated are kept as a sort 

 of coppice, and numerous shoots spring apparently 

 from the roots ; these are not allowed to rise higher 

 than ten feet. We are told, that c when the trees 

 first put forth their flame-coloured leaves and deli- 

 cate blossoms, the scenery is exquisitely beautiful.' 

 In three years after planting each tree affords one 

 shoot fit for cutting, at the fifth year from three to 

 five shoots may be taken, but it requires the vigour 

 of eiht years' growth before it yields as many as ten 

 branches of an inch in thickness. From the ages of 

 ten to twelve years is the period of its greatest per- 

 fection ; but its duration of life is not limited, as the 

 root spreads, and every year sends up new shoots or 

 suckers. 



Trees which grow in rocky situations, and the 

 young shoots, when the leaves are of a reddish 

 colour, yield the best and most pungent aromatic 

 bark. The tree is known to be in the best state 



