LIQUORICE ROOT. 313 



Manna is the best. All we receive comes from Sicily in 

 boxes, and amounts to about 11,000 lbs. per annum. 



Aloes. — The juice of the leaves of various species of Aloe, 

 principally A. vulgaris, A. Socotorina, and A. spicata. (Nat. 

 Ord. Liliacece.) 



The juice of the aloe-leaves is either expressed or drained 

 out, after which it is boiled until it begins to thicken, when 

 it is poured into gourds or calabashes, and other convenient 

 packages, and hardens into a compact black substance, 

 having an aromatic smell, but an intensely bitter taste. 



There are several kinds distinguished in commerce, as — 

 Socotorine Aloes (the best) produced by A. Socotorina. 

 Barbadoes Aloes (fine quality) „ A. vulgaris. 



Cape Aloes (very inferior) „ A. spicata. 



Hepatic Aloes (inferior) „ A. Indica ? 



Mocha Aloes (the worst) „ A. Indica. 



Indian Aloes (quality variable) „ A. Indica. 



About 120 to 130 tons of Aloes are annually imported. 



Liquorice Eoot. — The large tap-roots of the Common 

 Liquorice {Glycyrrhiza glabra: Nat. Ord. Leguminosce) . 

 (Plate XVII. fig. 91). 



This well-known vegetable product was equally familiar 

 to the ancients, who also used it medicinally. The root is 



