stearoptene obtained by distilling chips of Cinnamomum Camphora possesses stimulant properties, and is widely used in medicine, both externally and internally. (See Camphor ; Resinous Substances—Camphor.) Canella, or Canella Alba (FR., Candle blanche ; GER., Canella).—The bark of Candle alba has aromatic stimulant properties. The tree grows to a height of 20-30 or even 50 ft., in the Bahamas, several of the W. Indies (Barbadoes, Cuba, Guadaloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, St. Croix, Trinidad), and in S. Florida. The bark is collected by subjecting it first to a gentle beating, to remove the suberous layer, and an additional one to effect a further separation ; it is then peeled offi and dried, ready for export. It is now shipped solely from the Bahamas (Nassau, New Providence I.), where it is called " Whitewood bark," or " Cinnamon-bark "; the exports, in 1876, were 125 cwt.; the market price is about 24-30s. a cwt. The drug reaches us in the form of quills, 2-8 in. long, i-2 in. wide. It has a bitter, pungent, acrid flavour, and an agreeable cinnamon-like odour, which it retains for centuries; even its corky coat is fragrant. Its medicinal use in Europe is decaying ; as a condiment, it is used by the W. Indian negroes. It is often confounded with Winter's-bark. The powder mixed with aloes forms the Hiera Picra of the druggists' shops.
Cantharides, or Spanish Flies (FR., GER., Ifanthariden).—V esiestory or blistering beetles are the only important medicinal insects of the present day. Principal among them are Cantharides of several species, belonging to the Coleoptera, or Beetle-tribe. The can tharides of commerce are furnished chiefly by Cantharis vesicatoria (Lytta vesicatoria), common in Spain, Italy, Sicily, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and Siberia. This species finds its favourite food in the leaves of the ash ; but the lilac, privet, and jasmine, and more rarely, the elder, rose, apple, and poplar are also frequented by the insects. They swarm like bees, and emit an odour which may be perceived at a distance, and often serves as a guide to their whereabouts. They are caught in May, June, and July, the time chosen being late evening and early morning, when their wings are wet with dew ; the trees are shaken, and the falling insects are gathered on cloths, killed by vinegar fumes, dried in the sun, and put up in glass-stoppered bottles, great care being required to guard against the ravages of mites and other minute pests. The flies are so light that fifty scarcely weigh a drachm, yet they are often shipped by tons. The supply varies greatly from year to year, and is furnished mostly by Mediterranean ports. Sometimes considerable quantities are obtained from Russia, in cases of 160 170 lb.; these insects are remarkable for their large size. The value of cantharides varies from ls. 6d. to 48. 6d. a lb. Adulteration is often attempted by mingling other insects, e. g. Melolontha vitis, Chrysomela fastuosa, Cetonia aurata (Scarabous auratus), which possess no stimulating property. The value of cantharides is entirely due to the presence of a vesicating principle termed " cstntharidin," which is obtained by digesting the pulverized flies in alcohol, adding water, and distilling off the spirit. This principle is said to reside almost wholly in the softer parts of the body, and is perhaps most largely developed in the blood. The flies do not lose their virtue by keeping, and their efficacy is due in some measure to their food. A blind preference seems to be shown for samples of the most brilliant green colour, which is not an indication of superiority. If allowed to become damp, their vesicant property is impaired.
The above described species is that most generally known in Europe ; but several other varieties of Cantharis, as well as some totally distinct insects, possess similar properties, and may be substituted for it. They are chiefly as follows :—(1) Apteropasta segmentata—found with C. albida, and equally plentiful. (2) Cantharis (Lytta) adspersa—known as Bicho nwro in the Argentine Republic, where it is common, and destructive in gardens ; also in the Banda Oriental, and Mendoza. (3) C. (Macrobasis) albida—numerous in Texas, New Mexico, and on the plains. (4) C. (Lytta) atomaria—in Brazil. (5) C. atrivittata—iu Texas, probably in abundance. (6) C.
(Epicauta) cinerea—thronghont all the States eastward of the Rocky Mountains, and in many parts of Canada ; In the S. States, its size increases; its vesicatory power fully equals that of C. vesicatoria. (7) C. (Lytta) gigas—in Guinea. (8) C. (Pyrota) mylabrina—abandant throughout the whole region from Kansas to Mexico. (9) C. nigricornis—on the Parana. (10) C. Nuttalli—extremely abundant in Kansas and Colorado. (11) C. punctata —in Siberia. (12) C. (Lytta) ruficeps—in Java and Sumatra, and a variety in China. (13) C. (Lytta) violacea—in India. (14) C. ritidipennis—in Chili ; probably the most efficacious of the Argentine species, and common along the whole west side of the Republic, at the foot of the Cordillera. (15) C. (Lytta, Epicauta) vittata--eonsmon in the United States and Canada, but most abundant north and west of the Carolinas, extending towards the Rocky Monntains ; in the south, replaced by the very closely allied C. lemniscata ; quite equal to common cantharides as a vesicant, but much smaller, and therefore more difficult to gather. (16) C. (Pyrota) rittigera—on the Parana. (17) C. vulnerata—extremely abundant throughout the entire Pacific region west of the Sierra Nevada ; this species may be found commonly on a variety of Baccharis, and has proved to be powerfully vesicant. (18) Cysteodemus armatus—very plentiful in Arizona and the deserts of California, wherever the Grease-wood (Larrea Mexicana) thrives ; its size varies much ; its vesicatory properties are, perhaps, too slight to render it of much value. (19) Horia maculate—in the Argentine Republic ; over 1 in. long. (20) Lydus algiricus rar. indicus- Pondicherry. (21) L. trimaculatus—in S. Europe, from Italy to the Caucasus. (22) Melee angusti collie—in the E. States, and in many parts of Canada; sometimes congregated under stones. (23)M. ENO—in the Banda Oriental. (24) Mylabris Cichorii—the Telini-fly of India ; on the flowers of wild chicory and other Composite ; also ranges from Egypt, Italy, and Greece, to Central Asia and S. China ; contains more cantharidin than C. vesicatoria, and is now common in European commerce. (25) M. phalerata—in China. (26) Al. pustulata—in large numbers all over S. India at certain seasons. (27) M. syriaca—in Syria and Persia. (28) Pseudomeloi miniaceo-macalatus—in the interior of the province of Buenos Ayres ; not common. (29) P. san juinolentus—in Mendoza, Argentine Republio. (30) Tegrodera erosa—plentiful in S. and Lower California. (31) Tetraonyx peunis—in Brazil. Three species of Tetraonyx are found in the Argentine Republic : one in Tucuman, two in Mendoza. Dr. Armstrong found at the Cape of Good Hope great numbers of a species of Cantharis better and stronger than the common fly.