ASPIDIUM FELIX MAS. 
93 
smell, approaching to that of cinnamon ; the remaining decoction 
inspissated, leaves an extract of great bitterness, which seems to be 
composed of a resinous aiul gummy matter, imperfecily mixed. The 
watery infusion is not altered by infusion of galls, neither does sul- 
phate of zinc, or iron, tartarized antimony, nor muriate of mercury, 
produce any change ; but acetate of lead and nitrate of silver, render 
it milky, and throw down precipitates. 
Medical Properties. We have already said, that the medical 
properties of this bark and that of the Winterana were nearly the 
same, and hence the Canella Alba now supersedes the old bark of 
Winter in the London and Edinburgh Pharmacopoeias. It has been 
supposed to possess considerable medicinal power as an anti-scor- 
butic, and the sailors employed in the expedition under Sir Francis 
Drake found it useful in this complaint. It is now considered 
merely as an aromatic, and as such is used as a corrigent to other 
medicines. Its virtues reside in its essential oil. This bark, Swartz 
tells us, was formerly a common ingredient in the food of the Caribs, 
together with Capsicum, and it is still used as such by the 
negroes.* 
Off. The Bark. 
Off. Pp. Pulvis Aloes, cum Canella, D. 
♦ 
ASPIDIUM FELIX MAS, 
Male Fern.-\ 
Class Cry PTOGAM I A. — Orc?^r FiLiCES. 
Nat. Ord. FiLiCES, Linn. 
Gen. Char. Fructification in roundish points, scattered, not 
marginal. Involucre umbilicated, open almost on every side. 
Spec. Char. Frond nearly bipinnate. Pinna obtuse, 
notched. Stipe chaffy . 
* Linn. Tras. 1. c. 
+ Fig. a. the parts of fructification, the petlicle being removed, h. The same, with 
the pellicle partially removed, c. External view of the pellicle, d. Internal view of 
the sa me. 
