Before I leave this subject of the description of the plant, it may be proper to mention, that Bauhin calls the one of these plants _Cinnamomum_ or _Canella Malabarica & Javanensis_, and the other _Cinnamomum Canella Zeylanica_, Bauhin. _pinax_ 408 and 409; but neither from these names, nor from his description, can any conclusive argument be formed: and that Herman, in his _Hort. Lugd. Batav._ 129. t. 1655. calls this Cinnamon of Ceylon _Cassia Cinnamonia_. If any conjecture can arise from hence, it may be, that the Cinnamon of Ceylon was formerly, as well as that of Sumatra and Malabar, called Cassia; but that the Dutch writers, being acquainted with the excellent qualities, which the ancients ascribed to their Cinnamon, chose to add the name Cinnamon to that of Cassia: and in process of time they have found the name of Cinnamon more profitable than that of Cassia, by which we chuse to call our Canella, to our national loss of many thousands a year. Having now given an account of the figure of these plants, and in what respect they are said herein to differ; I shall proceed to consider the pretended differences in the Canella itself; which are supposed not to be in form only, but substantial and material; and are generally understood to be so by persons supposed to be acquainted with the subject. Mr. Ray states this matter fully in his _Hist. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 1560. in these words: _Officinæ nostræ Cassiam ligneam a Cinnamomo seu Canella distinctam faciunt, Cassiam Cinnamomo crassiorem plerumque esse, colore rubicundiorem, substantiâ duriorem, solidiorem & compactiorem, gustu magis glutinoso, odore quidem & sapore Cinnamomum aptius referre, tamen Cinnamomo imbecilliorum & minus vegetam esse, ex accurata observatione Tho. Johnson._ From these reasons Mr. Ray draws a conclusion (I must own not very instructive), that the Cinnamon of Ceylon is Cinnamon; and the Cinnamon of Malabar, &c. is the Cassia of the shops. From the specimens I shall now produce, it will most plainly appear, that these differences are merely accidents arising from the age of the Canella, the part of the tree from whence it is gathered, and from the manner of cultivating and curing it. In the _Philosoph. Transact._ Nº. 278. p. 1099. in Mr. Strachan’s account of Ceylon, which is abridged by Eames and Martyn, vol. ii. p. 183. he says, that there are two sorts of Cinnamon-trees, of which the tree, which is esteemed the best, has a leaf much larger and thicker than the other; but otherwise no difference is to be perceived. _Note_, Here is no mention of the _folio ovato_. I remember, in an account given some years ago to the Royal Society, three or four sorts were mentioned; and it was said the best sort was cut every three or four years.