238 A COMPENDIUM OF 
(4 millimeters) in diameter, black, inclining to 
gray in color; internally nearly hollow and con- 
tains an immature seed; odor spicy and of its own 
kind; taste pungent and aromatic. The cubeb 
contains two resins, fat, wax, oil, acid, and a 
pearly white crystalline substance termed cubeb- 
in, which is colored red by the action of sulphuric 
acid. Thereare many species of the plant found 
in the other tropical countries which differ from 
the afore-mentioned in a few minor particulars. 
Cubebs are stimulating, diuretic and locally irri- 
tating in their action, and given in form of pow- 
der, oil, tincture and fluid extract; dose of the 
powder from 15 to 60 grains (1 to 4 grams); 
dose of the oil 5 to 10 drops, usually mixed with 
other remedies; of the tincture 1 to 2 fluid 
drachms; of the extract % to 1 fluid drachm; 
all of which are officinal and highly valued as a 
remedy. Cubebs are also called cubeba. They 
were known as a medicine as early as the thir- 
teenth century, and were employed as a spice 
and condiment by the Arabians. The name is 
derived from the Arabic word Kadaban. 
Cuminum, Cumin, Cuminum, Cyminum.— 
Natural order Umbelliferee Orthosperme. This 
little annual is a native of the Upper Nile, and 
cultivated in eastern and southern Europe, 
rarely attaining a greater height than 18 inches. 
Its round, erect stem has many branches, which 
are adorned with many narrow, green leaves, 
acutely pointed and grass-like in general ap- 
pearance; flowers in terminal umbels, and 
either purple or white, or a mixture of both. 
The fruit is somewhat oblong in shape and lat- 
erally compressed; composed of two mericarps, 
