BOOK XII. xLii. 89-93 



sunset. A priest divides the twigs with a spear, 

 and sets aside a portion for the god, while the rest 

 is packed up in clumps by the dealer. Another 

 account is also given, that a share is assigned to the 

 sun, and that the wood is divided into three portions, 

 and then lots are cast twice to assign the shares, 

 and the share that falls to the sun is left, and bursts 

 out in flames of its own accord. 



The finest quahty with cinnamon belongs to the 

 thinnest parts of the boughs, for about a span's 

 length; the second best to the next pieces for a 

 shorter length, and so on in order; the worst in 

 quaUty is the part nearest to the roots, because it 

 has the least amount of bark, which is the part most 

 favoured, and consequently preference is given to the 

 tops of the plants, where there is most bark. The 

 actual wood, however, is held in no esteem, because 

 it has the bitter taste of wild marjoram : it is called 

 wood-cinnamon ; it fetches 10 denarii a pound. Some Prices and 

 writers mention two kinds of cinnamon, one Hghter ^**^^" 

 and the other darker in colour ; and in former days 

 the Hght kind was preferred, but now on the other 

 hand the dark is praised, and even a mottled kind is 

 preferred to the pure white. Still, the most certain 

 test of value is that it must not be rough, and that 

 when rubbed together it must crumble slowly. The 

 lowest value is attached to it when it is soft or when 

 the bark is falUng of. 



The right of controUing the sale of cinnamon is 

 vested solely in the king of the Gebbanitae, who 

 opens the market by pubUc proclamation. The 

 prices formerly were 1000 denarii a pound, but this 

 was raised to half as much again after the forests had 

 been burnt, so it is said, by infuriated barbarians ; 



67 



