BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 367 
to other remedies in the form aqua MENTHA 
VIRDIS, and sPIRITUS MENTH VIRIDIS, 
Oleum Myrciz, Myrcie Oil, Bay Oil. This 
volatile oil is distilled from the leaves of Myr- 
cite Acris.—Natural order Myrtacee, and occurs 
as a light brown liquid, deepening in color by 
age, with an aromatic, clove-like odor, and a 
spicy, pungent taste. Unlike most of the vola- 
tile oils mentioned, it has an acid reaction, 
The distillate is said to consist of two oils, one 
lighter, and the other heavier, than water, the 
lighter oil being a hydrocarbon, identical in 
composition to that found in cloves and allspice. 
The oil is used for making the officinal prepa- 
ration of spirIrus myrci1z. This must not be 
coufounded with the Spirits from the leaf. 
Oleum Myristice, Nutmeg Oil. There are 
two oils obtained from the fruit of the Myris- 
ticee fragrans.—Natural order Myristicacee. 
One volatile, and obtained by distillation; the 
fixed obtained by expression. The volatile oil 
is prepared from the kernel of the nutmeg, and 
occurs as a colorless or straw colored limpid 
liquid, of neutral reaction, specific gravity 0.93, 
and composed of a hydrocarbon termed wzyrzs- 
tecene, and myristicol, a substance containing 
oxygen; the former constituent being the cam- 
phor steroptene, which is found in most of the 
volatile oils. The oil by exposure loses its 
fluidity, absorbing oxygen more slowly than 
many of the other oils. It is not often em- 
ployed alone as a remedy, but is an ingredient 
in the PILULA ALG@s, SOCOTRIN# BR., and SPIRITUS 
MYRISTICA, 
