CAssia is a Kind of Fruit of different Lengths and Thickness, which hangs to the Branches of different Trees. The first and most esteem'd is that of the Levant. This Cassia grows plentifully in several Parts thereof, from whence it is now brought by the Way of Marseilles, as may be seen by the Figure of the Tree represented in the Cut. The Leaves are green, and the Flowers yellow.
Chuse this Cassia fresh, in thick Sticks, that are heavy, not laid in, of a brown Colour, whose Bark appears fine and white within, and is supplied or furnish'd with a black Pulp, a white hard Stone or Kernel in Form of a Heart. This Marrow or Pulp ought to be sweet, without being either sharp or musty, and such as will easily separate from the Cane. Beware that the Canes be not knotty or crooked, but all of a Piece, and without being subject to shake or rattle with the Kernels void of Pulp. Some will have it, that the true Way of distinguishing of the Levant Cassia, is by the Length of the Sticks; which nevertheless is no general Rule, because those are frequently met with in the Antilles, or Western Islands. But the best Way I have found, is to take that of Marseilles, because there is none comes that Way but what comes from the Levant and Egypt.