Particular Account of the Cinnamon. S4S 
even from appearance run any risk of being confounded with 
the proper cinnamon. 
I’ill this island was possessed by the Dutch, cinnamon grew 
entirely in the wild state ; it was even believed by Europeans 
as well as natives that in this state alone it was to be found 
in perfection, and that upon being planted it never failed to 
degenerate. The propagation of the tree in the wild state is at- 
tributed to the birds, vrlio swallow the berries, but the kernels 
not dissolving in their stomachs are thrown out, and thus dis- 
persed up and down wherever the birds chance to fly. During 
the course of the last century, however, experience has shewn 
that the cultivated cinnamon is every way equal to the wild. 
The Dutch governor, Falk, first attempted to rear cinnamon- 
trees by art in his garden at Pass near Columbo ; and soon 
raised in that spot a plantation of several thousands, Avhich yielded 
cinnamon of the first quality. After this he employed the same 
means to extend the cinnamon gardens around Columbo, and 
reduce theiii more into regular form. These useful labours have 
rendered his memory highly esteemed ; and he- is still remem- 
bered on the island as one who preferred the public benefit to 
Iris own private interest ; the only character fit to preside over 
a colony. His successors, however, did not follow his example; 
cutting and collecting the cinnamon seemed to be their only 
care, and they were at little trouble and expence either to in- 
crease or continue the supply. The woods were therefore 
found by us in a neglected and exhausted state ; but we were 
fortunate enough, on taking Columbo, to find stored up there 
a vast quantity of cinnamon which they had not had an oppor- 
tunity to send off to Europe. The strictest attention is now 
paid to the cinnamon gardens by governor North. Since his 
Yy 
