THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 
559 
1846 .] 
ported into Europe. It is cultivated for its red dye, which is the best known to the 
Indian islanders. It is used in cabinet work for inlaying, to a limited extent. Its 
value is about two dollars a pecul in the Canton market, where large quantities are 
brought, chiefly from Manilla. 
Cassia.—This is of three kinds, cassia lignea, which is the bark of the tree ; 
cassia buds, and cassia fistula or pods ; the latter is commonly known by the name 
of senna; cassia lignea is the substance commonly called cassia, and is exported 
from China to all parts of the world. It is the decorticated bark of the laurus 
cassia, a large tree, which grows in China and Japan in large quantities ; the tree 
is also found in the Indian Archipelago. The cassia brought from Ceylon and 
Malabar is inferior to the Chinese, being more liable to foul packing, thicker and 
darker colored, and less aromatic. 
The Chinese cassia is sewed up in mats, usually two or more rolls in each mat, 
and a pound in each roll, and is easily distinguished from cinnamon, which it re¬ 
sembles, for it is smaller quilled, breaks shorter, and is less purgent. The liability 
to mistake happens only in distant markets, as the trees grow in different countries. 
Cassia fistula is the plant that produces the cassia pods. Cassia buds are the 
fleshy receptacles of the seeds of the cinnamon tree, and bear some resemblance to 
a clove, and when fresh possess a fine cinnamon flavor. The relative value of 
Cassia bark and buds is as eight to five, but this varies, however, with the quantity 
in market. 
Cassia Oil.—This oil is obtained from the leaves of the cassia tree by distillation, 
and is used as a medicine under the name of oleum malabathri. It is easily tested 
by putting a small quantity on the hand, which will slowly evaporate, and thus any 
foreign substance will be detected. The leaves are exported under the name of 
folia malabathri. All parts of the cassia tree are useful; the wood, the bark, the 
leaves, the buds, and the oil, are all in request for various purposes, in carpentering, 
medicine, and cookery. The price of cassia varies from eight dollars to twelve 
dollars per pecul, and the buds a little in advance of that of the oil, which is from 
one dollar fifty to two dollars per catty. 
China root.—This is the China smilax, a climbing plant. The roots are jointed, 
knobbed, thick, of a brown color, and break short; when cut, the surface is smooth, 
close, and glossy; but if old and wormy, dust flies from it when broken. The mar¬ 
ket price varies from three dollars twenty-five to four dollars per pecul. It is used 
by the Chinese extensively as a medicine, and is exported to India for the same 
purpose. 
Turmeric.—This is dried root of the curcuma longa, a herbaceous plant, cultiva¬ 
ted in all the Indian islands and on the continent, for its coloring and aromatic 
qualities. The color is very transitory, and no method has yet been found to set 
it. It has an aromatic smell resembling ginger, and a warm bitterish taste. It is 
used much as a spice, and is always an ingredient of curry, so much prized in the 
east. Turmeric is a good test for free alkalies, and the quantity used for this pur¬ 
pose is considerable. Its price varies from five to six dollars per pecul. 
Whangees or Japan Canes.—These are the produce of a plant which grows in 
China. They are well calculated for walking sticks, and should be chosen with 
care. Their value is about eighteen dollars per thousand. 
Catch or Terra Japonica.—This substance was for a long time supposed to be 
an earth, but it is now ascertained to be the extract of the acasia catechu. It is 
imported from Bombay and Bengal. That brought from the former place is friable, 
and of a red brown color, and more hard and firm than that from Bengal. It 
varies considerably; some kinds being ponderous and compact, others very light 
and friable ; some more, and others less astringent. The value varies from four to 
five dollars per pecul. 
Horns and Bones.—These animal products are brought to Canton in junks from 
the adjacent countries, and form an important article of import with the native 
vessels. The horns are made into handles, combs, &c., and buttons, and other 
useful articles, and -the bones serve for various fancy articles, and are sometimes 
burned into lime. In a single year five hundred and two peculs have been brought 
to Canton. 
Mother-of-pearl Shells.—These are imported to and exported from this port. 
The Persian Gulf, the coasts of India, and the Indian Archipelago, produce them 
