Cassia

Cassia, a name given by the ancients to a kind of aromatic bark. The use of the name in Exodus, xxx. 24, and in Psalm xlv. 8, is derived from the Septuagint; and we constantly read of cassia in classical and medieval writers: this is identified with tolerable certainty with the Cassia Bark or Cassia lignea (sometimes also China Cinnamon) of our shops. This spice is largely imported from China; inferior sorts also come from Calcutta, Java, &c.; and although commonly referred to Cinnamomum Cassia, no satisfactory examination of the different species has yet been made. It is essentially a cheaper and coarser form of Cinnamon (q.v.), for which it forms an excellent substitute—its essential oil being chemically similar, although more or less inferior in fragrance and flavour.