MYRISTICA. 507 



sodium, we obtained a solution which, after removal of the alcohol, left 

 a residuum perfectly soluble in boiling water, forming a jolly on 

 cooliHg. ^ By adding hydrochloric acid to the warm aqueous solution, 

 the original crystallizable substance again made its appearance, yet 

 almost devoid of odour. It is in fiict nothing else than Ilijristlc Acid 

 (see page 508).^ 



Production and Commerce — The nutmegs and mace now brought 

 into the market are to a large extent the produce of the Banda 

 Islands,^ of which however only three, namely Lontar or the Great 

 Banda, Pulo Ai, and Pulo Nera, have what are termed Nutmeg 

 Parks. According to official statements of the Dutch, the first- 



named island possessed in 18C4 about 266,000 fruit-bearing trees; 

 Ternate on the western coast of Jilolo, 46,000; Menado in the island 

 of Celebes, 85,000 ; and Amboyna, only 31,000. The nutmegs of the 

 Banda Islands are shipjjed to Batavia. The quantity exported from 

 Java in 1871 (all, we believe, from Batavia, and therefore the pro- 

 duce of the Banda Islands) is stated as 8107 peculs (1,080,933 lb.), 

 of which 2300 peculs (806,666 lb.) were shipped to the United States, 

 and a rather large quantity to Singapore.^ The last-named port also 

 shipped in the same year a very large quantity (310,576 lb.) of nut- 

 megs to North America,* and in 1877 the total export of nutmegs and 

 mace from Singapore was 5323 peculs (709,733 lb.). 



Nutmegs were exported from Padaug in Sumatra in the year 1871, 

 to the extent of 2766 peculs (368,800 lb.), chiefly to America and 

 Singapore. The quantity annually imported into the United Kingdom 

 ranges from 500,000 to 800,000 lb. 



Uses— Nutmeg is a grateful aromatic stimulant, chiefly employed 

 for flavouring other medicines. It is also in constant use as a condi- 

 ment, though less appreciated than formerly. 



Oleum Myristicse expressum. 



Ghum Macidis, Balsamum vet Oleum Kiicistce; Expressed Oil of 



Muslcathutter , Muskatnussol. 



>f Mace; F. Beurre dc Mm 



This article reaches England chiefly from Singapore, in oblong 

 rectangular blocks, about 10 inches long by 2| inches square, enveloped 

 m a wrapper of palm leaves. It is a solid unctuous substance of an 

 orange-brown colour, varying in intensity of shade, and presenting^ 

 mottled aspect. It has a very agreeable odour and a fatty aromatic 

 taste. 



In operating on 2 lb. of nutmegs, first powdered and heated in a 

 waterbath and pressed while still hot, we obtained 9 ounces ot solid 

 oil, equivalent to 28 per cent. This oil, which in colour odour and 

 consistence does not differ from that which is imported, melts at about 



I Ycarhooh of Pharmacy, 1874, 490. occupies no more than 17-0 geographical 



- Some idea of the extremely small area s<iiiare roiJes. iq-j n-.o i Tn 



"{ these famous islands may be gathered ' Conmlar Reports, Aug 18 ^3. l^-f-J^ 



from the fact that the Greit Batida, the 1875, SOOO l.ccuIs^vcre expo ted from^^^^^^ 



Wgest of them, is but about 7 miles long * Blue ^^''f ^^Yu-\ '^- 1,^/ S-'i 



ty 2 miles broad ; while the entire group Seilhments for 18. 1, Smgapore, 18 < 2. 



