LAURACE^. 



219 



2. C. zeylanicum, Breyn. (C'iiinanion.) Sec-oncl-dass tree ; truuk 20 to 30 

 feet liigli, funiiiug a low, broad head; bark brown. Leaves opposite, oval, 4 

 to 5 iuclies long, rounded at the base, (hirk-green above, paler beneath, promi- 

 nently 3-uerved. Flowers in large terminal panicles; flowers distant and 

 bractless ; petals inconspicuous ; j)erianth divided into 6 oblong, rather l)lunt, 

 equal lobes, imbricated in 2 rows, 9 stamens and 3 stamiuoids; anthers short; 

 tilaments hairy; ovary superior, 1 -celled, with 1 ovule; style shorter than the 

 stamens ; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit ovoid, Heshy, half an incli long, smooth ; 

 seeds not filling the seed-vessel. 



As this tree is propagated from seed, it sports freely, and many varieties 

 are produced, but all constant as to quality of bark. 



Geography. — The Cinnamonmm zeylanicum is a tropical and subtropical 

 tree, requiring a mean temperature, not below 70°. It grows throughout the 

 East Indian Archipelago. It was formerly 

 largely cultivated in Ceylon, but the cultiva- 

 tion of tea and coffee are rapidly supplanting 

 it. It has been taken to the West Indies, 

 South America, and the isles of the Pacific. 



Etymuloyij and History. — Zeylanicum is the 

 Latijiized form of Ceylon. When cinnamon 

 was first introduced into use as a spice or a 

 medicine is not known ; it is spoken of in the 

 Bible as one of the sulistances of the anointing 

 oil used in the installation of the priesthood ; 

 it was known in England in the eleventh cen- 

 tury, and has always been a favorite spice. 

 When the Dutch came into possession of Cey- 

 lon, they limited tlie supply to sustain the 

 price, and the English did the same. In the 

 beginning of the last century the oil of cinna- 

 mon sold in London for its weight in gold. 



Cultivation. — The Dutch l)egan the cultiva- 

 tion in Ceylon. Tlie plants are cut back to 

 about six l)uds; from these the shoots are 

 allowed to grow to the height of ten feet, at 



which time they will liave reached a diameter of about an incli or more; these 

 are cut at the time tlie sap begins to flow, and divided into lengths a foot 

 long, which are split in halves, and tlie l)ark removed. The pieces are laid 

 one inside the other and tied together in small bundles, whicli are left a few 

 days to dry ; tlie strips are then laid upon a rounded stick, and the cuticle 

 scraped off. The pieces are then alloweil to dry and curl up ; when dry. tlie 

 smaller are inserted into the larger, and in that way made into a sort of' solid 

 to prevent breaking. These are tied together into l)uiidles weighing about 

 thirty pounds each, covered with gunny cloth, and sent to market. 



^^^c- — 'riie chips and peah'd sticks, with the bark upon the twigs, are dis- 

 tilled, and yield the oil of cinnamon ; the leaf also yicMs an (.il. "The root 

 yields a peculiar camplior. 



Cinnamon is used as a spice in confectionery, .akes. and pastry, cordials and 

 prepared liqueurs, and jjerfumery. In medicine it is stimulant, aromatic, car- 

 minative, and a remedy for nausea. 



3. C. cassia, lil. Stem 20 to 30 feet in height, symmetrically brancbeO 

 Leaves like those of C. zeylanicum, but more obtuse . when young, tiame 



CiNNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM 



(Cinnamon). 



