152 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



gustus Caesar, her husband, was placed a 

 root of the cinnamon-tree, of great weight, 

 set in a cup of gold, which yielded, yearly, 

 several drops of sap, that congealed into a 

 gum. This I have seen, says Pliny, and it 

 remained in the same situation until the 

 temple was consumed by fire. 



The Ceylonese draw from the roots of these 

 trees, a liquor, which, as it hardens, becomes 

 a true camphor. This anecdote, therefore, 

 confirms the opinion, that the cinnamon now 

 in use is the same as that of the ancients, 

 although some authors state, that the cinna- 

 mon so highly extolled by the Israelites, is 

 now unknown. We agree, that the tree 

 which anciently grew in Ethiopia, might 

 have been of a more fragrant quality than 

 that produced in Ceylon. 



The species of camphor obtained from the 

 root of the cinnamon-tree is called Baros by 

 the Indians, and is considered by far the best 

 for medical purposes ; and in some parts it 

 is gathered and kept only for the use of the 

 kings, who use it as a cordial medicine, it 

 being esteemed of a singular and uncommon 

 efficacy. 



Nievhoff, who accompanied the embassy 

 which the Dutch made to China in the year 



