303 
WINTERA AROMATICA. 
colour UDderneath, and stand irregularly upon short thick petioles ; 
the flowers are axillary, proceeding from the top of the branches, 
and arise two or three together upon longish peduncles ; the calyx is 
of one leaf, and divided into three unequal pointed segments; the 
corolla consists of seven unequal, ovate, obtuse, concave, erect, 
white petals; the filaments are numerous, shorter than the petals, 
and support large oval anthers; the germens are turbinated, crowned 
with sessile, divided, flat stigmas; the berries are of a light green 
colour, spotted with black, containing four triangular, black, aroma- 
tic seeds.* 
Sensible Qualities, &c. Winter's bark is of a dark brown 
cinnamon colour, with an aromatic odour, and a permanent hot 
spicy taste, though slowly imparted. Its virtues reside in a volatile 
oil, which may be obtained separate by distillation with water; this 
oil is very hot and stimulating. From the analysis of M. Henry it 
also appears to contain a resin, colouring matter, sulphate of potass, 
oxalate of lime, oxide of iron, and tannin. f Winter's bark is seldom to 
be met with in the shops, Canella Alba being generally substituted for 
it, and indeed often confounded with it, although the former may be 
readily distinguished from the latter, being in much larger pieces, 
and of a darker colour. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Winter's bark is stomachic 
and carminative, hence it forms an useful adjunct to simple bitters in 
many stomach disorders, arising from a weakened state of this organ. 
It has also been found an efficacious antiscorbutic, and in this 
character it was formerly held in much estimation, but in modern 
practice it' is but little used.X It may be given in the form of 
powder, infusion, or tincture, but there is no officinal preparation 
of it. 
Off. The Bark. 
* The botanical character of this tree was unknown till the return of Capt. Wallis 
from the South Seas, in the year 1768, when Dr. Solauder wrote a description of it, 
which was published in the fifth volume of the Medical Observations and Enquiries. 
t In this circumstance it differs from Canella Alba, which does not contain tannin. 
I It is much nsed in Brazil as a spice. 
