The best cinnamon is a light yellow, and not thicker than pasteboard.
The essential oil of cinnamon, used in medicine, is extracted from the plant itself, which is placed in a vessel full of water, and left to steep for eight to ten days.

The whole mass is then transferred to a retort and distilled over a slow fire.

In a short time, on the surface of the water thus distilled a quantity of oil collects, and this is then skimmed off with the greatest care.
In the animal kingdom, besides the elephants, I was much struck by the number and tameness of the ravens of Ceylon.

In every small town and village may be seen multitudes of these birds, that come up to the very doors and windows and pick up everything.

They play the part of scavengers here, just as dogs do in Turkey.