the 2nd of April 1865.

CASSIA (Lat. _cassia_, Gr. [Greek: kasia]), the aromatic bark derived
from _Cinnamomum cassia_. The greater part of the supply coming from
China, it is sometimes termed Chinese cinnamon. The bark is much thicker
than that of true cinnamon; the taste is more pungent and the flavour
less delicate, though somewhat similar to that of cinnamon. The
properties of cassia bark depend on the presence of a volatile oil--the
oil of cassia, which is imported in a fairly pure state as an article of
commerce from Canton. Cassia bark is in much more extensive demand on
the continent of Europe than in Great Britain, being preferred to
cinnamon by southern nations. The chief use of both the oil and bark is
for flavouring liqueurs and chocolate, and in cooking generally. When
ground as a spice it is difficult to distinguish cassia from cinnamon
(q.v.), and it is a common practice to substitute the cheap common spice
for the more valuable article. _Cassia Buds_, which have a pleasing
cinnamon flavour, are believed to be the immature fruits of the tree
which yields Chinese cinnamon. They are brought in considerable
quantities from Canton, and used as a spice and in confectionery.
_Cassia pulp_, used as a laxative, is obtained from the pods of _Cassia
fistula_, or pudding pipe tree, a native of Africa which is cultivated
in both the East and West Indies. Some confusion occasionally arises
from the fact that _Cassia_ is the generic name of an extensive genus of
leguminous plants, which, in addition to various other medicinal
products, is the source of the senna leaves which form an important
article of materia medica.

CASSIA, VIA, an ancient high-road of Italy, leading from Rome through
Etruria to Florentia (Florence); at the 11th mile the Via Clodia (see
CLODIA, VIA) diverged north-north-west, while the Via Cassia ran to the
east of the Lacus Sabatinus and then through the place now called Sette
Vene, where a road, probably the Via Annia, branched off to Falerii,
through Sutrium (where the Via Ciminia, running along the east edge of
the Lacus Ciminius, diverged from it, to rejoin it at Aquae Passeris,
north of the modern Viterbo[1]), Forum Cassii, Volsinii, Clusium and
Arretium, its line being closely followed by the modern highroad from
Rome to Florence. The date of its construction is uncertain: it cannot
have been earlier than 187 B.C.,[2] when the consul C. Flaminius
constructed a road from Bononia