Manna

in the drug trade, a white, sweetish, flaky gum collected from the stems of a sort of ash grown chiefly in Sicily. The Sicilians raise plantations of young ash for the purpose. The manna is obtained by making short incisions in the bark. The manna exudes and dries, after which it is removed with wooden knives and is dried in the sun for shipment. In medicine it is used as a laxative, especially for children. The manna of the Israelites is supposed to be a somewhat similar substance exuded in June and July from the stems of the tamarisk, a shrub growing abundantly in the peninsula of Sinai. It has the form of drops of honey, which, in the cool temperature of the early morning, may be gathered in a solid state. It is gathered in small quantities by the Arabs and sold to pilgrims.